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Privacy and Confidentiality
All visitors to Vaughan Public Libraries (VPL) have the right to privacy and confidentiality regarding their use of Vaughan Public Libraries' services, collections and Web sites and regarding the collection of personal information by Vaughan Public Libraries.
In matters relating to privacy and access to information, VPL is governed by the Ontario Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act 1999 and the Federal Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act 2000.
Personal information is defined by VPL as recorded information about an identifiable individual. The personal information is given voluntarily by library users either in person, in writing or electronically. This Privacy Statements covers all three circumstances.
Personal information held VPL can be accessed by library employees working within the scope of their duties.
Personal information provided by a user of VPL will not be divulged to any third party, except in very specific circumstances permissible by law, which are:
- In response to the request for specific personal information from a law
enforcement agency supported by a warrant;
- To the parent or legal guardian of an individual younger than sixteen (16)
years of age;
- To someone holding Power of Attorney for a specified individual; and
- To the Libraries' authorized collection agency for the collection of library property, unpaid fees, fines or other charges.
Upon registration as a library member, VPL requires personal information that enables the Libraries to communicate with users about their membership and about the materials they have checked out. In the case of children under sixteen (16) years of age this includes information about their parent or legal guardian.
- Name, address, phone number, and email address if applicable;
- Proof of ID presented to join the Libraries;
- Checked out library materials;
- Overdue fines and other charges;
- Requests (holds); and
- Personal information provided voluntarily to register for programs or to provide a library service.
Members may access information on their own library record at any time during open hours by presenting their VPL library card or photographic proof of their identity to any VPL public service desk. They may also access their own library record online at any online terminal in a branch through the VPL Web sites at www.vaughanpl.info.
Security of Information
Vaughan Public Libraries takes every precaution to protect personal information securely. Corporate security is in place to protect personal information collected by VPL and stored on computer by the Libraries.
To protect your privacy and security, please log out of any programs by clicking the blue "End" button located in the right corner of the online catalogue before leaving any workstations.
Non-personal information (such as cookies, IP address) may be used for the running of online applications or for statistical purposes; however, this data has no element by which specific individuals maybe identified.
As an added precaution for children and young adult's communication with VPL by email, an option is offered for parents to automatically send copies of electronic communications between the Libraries and their child. See VPL's Keeping Kids Safe for more details. Occasionally, VPL runs electronic message-boards or online chats as part of a program. VPL will ensure that any participating child has parental approval, and is given an anonymous User ID to participate in the program. Only VPL staff, children authorized in person, and individually validated program facilitators will have access to participate in such programs.
Vigilance
VPL and its employees are vigilant in protecting users' privacy and the confidentiality of information in the Libraries possession. Users are asked to follow a few simple rules to protect the privacy of their own records:
- Keep your library card and Person Identification Number (PIN) in a safe place, but not together;
- Never lend your card to anyone;
- Never lend your PIN to anyone, either to borrow materials or to get access to password protected areas of the VPL’s Web sites and equipment;
- Never give your PIN over the phone to anyone, including Libraries' staff; and
- Report your lost or stolen card immediately to the Libraries
[Tel:(905)653-READ (7323)].
If you have further inquiries about VPL’s Privacy Statement please contact VPL's Administration.
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