American Library Association Privacy Policies and Statements

The American Library Association has developed policies, guidelines, and resources to assist librarians in preserving privacy and confidentiality for library users.

Basic Statements

Library Bill of Rights (1948, amended 1961, 1980, reaffirmed 1996).

Freedom to Read Statement (1953. rev. 1972, 1991, 2000).

Code of Ethics (rev. 1995).

Freedom to View Statement (1990).

Library Principles for a Networked World

Privacy and Confidentiality Policies and Procedures

Privacy Resources for Librarians, Library Users, and Families (last updated 2002)

Privacy Tool Kit (2004, rev. 2005); see also 

AASL Position Statement on the Confidentiality of Library Records

ALA Task Force on Privacy and Confidentiality in the Electronic Environment Final Report (July 2000).

Appendix addressing new technologies related to: Confidentiality of Library Records. Usage Tracking. Security Issues. Institutional Concerns and Developments. Library Practices. Commercial Applications

The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act

Q and A on Confidentiality and Privacy

Policies and Statements about the Infringement of Users' Privacy Rights

USA Patriot Act

The USA Patriot Act in the Library

FBI in Your Library

Guidelines for Librarians on the USA PATRIOT Act: What to do before, during and after a "knock at the door?" (January 19, 2002).

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Originally prepared by Nancy Kranich; updated by Office for Intellectual Freedom
Chair, American Library Association Intellectual Freedom Committee
September 11, 2003; revised March 23, 2004; revised April 25, 2005; revised May 10, 2007