1. Q: Does your library make information about me or my child available to anyone?
A: No. We respect the privacy of every user.
2. Q: My teenager has been acting a bit strange lately. Can you give me a list of what he has checked out?
A: I understand your concern, but every library user's records are private by law.
3. Q: Does the Internet invade children's privacy by marketing personal information or collecting data from chat rooms?
A: I am glad you asked that question, because the Internet opens a whole new information frontier for us all. Some websites do ask for personal information. That's why all of us need to learn to use it safely and effectively. Here's how we are working with parents to ensure your kids' safety and privacy on the 'Net. (Follow with examples of library programs or publications.)
4. Q: I'm worried that my son has been visiting Internet sites that promote violence. Can you tell me what sites he has visited?
A: I understand your concern. The library does not keep records of sites visited by individuals. If it did, like any other library record, the information would legally be confidential. Here are some of the ways we are working with parents and their children to makes sure they know "the rules of the road" and how to use the Internet responsibly and safely.
5. Q: How can I teach my child to keep personal information private and to use the Internet responsibly?
A: I am really glad you asked that question, because our library is here to help make sure that children know the "rules of the road" to help them use the Internet responsibly and safely. First, you and your children can take a class at the library. Second, take home a library brochure about the subject, and third, visit the American Library Association's site at http://www.ala.org/parentspage/greatsites/guide.html to get some online safety tips.
6. Q: There's a guy in the library that might be looking at porn sites and there's a lot of commotion in his vicinity. Can you stop him?
A: I will investigate. Of course, the library has a policy regarding acceptable use of the Internet. If he is violating the rules, we will ask him to stop.
7. Q: I just got a letter from a toy maker's corporate office asking permission for my daughter to be a member of their Internet club. Why are they writing me?
A: They are writing to protect your privacy. Online businesses are required by law to request parental permission before they can collect personal information about anyone 17 or under who uses their site. Your child may have visited the site of a favorite toy or game and asked to use a part of it that requires personal information to participate.
8. Q: My son's upset because staff at his school has monitored his e-mail. What about his right to privacy?
A: Schools, unlike public libraries, act in place of parents during the school day, so kids' rights to privacy at school are narrower than in a public library. The school may choose to monitor student e-mail for reasons of security. The question you need to ask is: does the school have an Acceptable Use Policy that describes the circumstances under which her can use the Internet, including e-mail, and what does it say?
9. Q: My twelve-year-old came home with a backpack of pictures of naked people printed off the Internet at your library. Why does the library let kids do that?
A: The Internet is a vast and exciting learning tool. Your 12-year-old can get all kinds of useful information on the Internet, including material for homework assignments and personal interest. Our goal is to help kids and families work together to make sure that children know how to use the Internet effectively and responsibly. Some of the tools we can offer you are workshops and carefully selected Web resources.
Prepared for Behind the Fig Leaf: Kids' Privacy in the Electronic Age
6/2001
Intellectual Freedom Committee
Association for Library Services to Children,
a Division of the American Library Association
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