Section A.  Introduction

This policy addresses collection, use, and security of and access to information that may be obtained through the use of the Urbandale Public Library’s web site (http://www.urbandalelibrary.org).  It is provided for informational purposes only.  The information presented here is not meant to be a contract of any type; either expressed or implied, and should not be treated as such by site visitors.  The information in this statement and/or the policies described here may change at any time, without prior notice to any visitor.
This policy covers the following topics:

• Section B. Information Collected and How it is Used
• Section C. Personal Information and Choice
• Section D. Chapter 22.7 Confidential Records. Code of Iowa 1999
• Section E.  Security
• Section F.  Disclaimer
• Section G. Contact Information

Section B.  Information Collected and How it is Used
Information collected from site visitor-  If site visitors do nothing during their visit to the library’s web site but browse, read pages, or download information, the library will gather and store certain information about their visit.  This information does not identify them personally.  The library automatically collects and stores the following information about a site visit:

• The Internet Protocol address and domain name used by the site visitor.  The Internet Protocol address is a numerical identifier assigned either to an Internet service provider or directly to a site visitor’s computer.  The library uses the Internet Protocol address to direct Internet traffic to the site visitor.  This address can be translated to determine the domain name of the site visitor’s service provider (e.g.  xcompany.com or yourschool.edu).  Generally, however, the library only determines visitor domain names if a security issue is suspected;
• The type of browser and operating system you used;
• The date and time the visitor accessed the web site;
• The web pages or services that were accessed; and
• The web site that was visited prior to coming to this web site, if the visitor linked directly from another web site.

This information is collected for statistical and site management purposes only.  The library's web site uses software programs to create summary statistics, which are used for such purposes as assessing what information is of most and least interest, determining technical design specifications, and identifying system performance or problem areas.

For site security purposes and to ensure that this service remains available to all users, the library's web site host employs software programs to monitor network traffic to identify unauthorized attempts to upload or change information, or otherwise cause damage.  Except for authorized law enforcement investigations and the security purposes mentioned elsewhere in this policy, no other attempts are made to identify individual users or their usage habits.  Raw data logs are used for no other purposes and are scheduled for regular destruction.

Unauthorized attempts to upload information or change information on this service are strictly prohibited and may be punishable under applicable state and federal statutes, including the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986 and the National Information Infrastructure Protection Act.

What we collect if site visitors volunteer information-  If during a visit to the library’s web site a visitor participates in a survey, sends an e-mail, or performs some other transaction on-line, the following additional information will be collected:

• The e-mail address, IP address, and contents of e-mail, for those who communicate with the library via e-mail. 
• Information volunteered in response to a survey. 
• Information volunteered through an on-line form for any other purpose. 
• Information volunteered by participating in an on-line transaction with the library.

Any information transmitted to the Urbandale Public Library via e-mail does not have its security guaranteed.
The information collected is typically limited to text characters, but may include audio, video, and graphic file formats.

The library uses a site visitors e-mail address to respond to the visitor.  Survey information is used for the purposes identified by the survey.  Information from other on-line forms is used only for conducting library business related to the on-line form.

Information provided for a transaction is used only for the purpose of completing and recording the transaction.  Information requested will be no more specific than if a visitor were engaging in the transaction by other means, including by telephone or in-person while visiting a library facility.  In all cases, the library strives to collect the minimum information necessary to comply with applicable law and to provide the service requested.

The library does not sell, rent or otherwise distribute site visitors’ information, including e-mail addresses, to any outside company or organization, unless legally required to do so.  This applies to information that may be collected on the library's web site and on that of any third party with whom the library contracts to provide Internet related services.

Section C.  Personal Information and Choice
A site visitor may choose whether to provide personal information on-line.  "Personal information" is information about a natural person that is readily identifiable to that specific individual.  Personal information includes such things as an individual's name, address, and telephone number.  A domain name or Internet Protocol address is not considered personal information.

The library collects no personal information about an on-line visitor unless the visitor voluntarily provides it to the library by sending an e-mail message, participating in a survey, completing an on-line form, or engaging in an on-line transaction.  A visitor may choose not to contact the library by e-mail, participate in a survey, provide personal information using an on-line form, or engage in an electronic transaction.  However, some information and services available through this site are specific to individual users and require the collection of personal information in order to function properly.  A visitor’s choice to not participate in these activities will not impair his or her ability to browse, read, or download other general information provided on the site.

If personal information is requested on the web site or volunteered by the site visitor, state law and the federal Privacy Act of 1974 may protect it.  If a visitor believes that his or her personal information is being used for a purpose other than what was intended when submitted, the visitor may contact the person identified in the contact information section of this statement.

The library will take reasonable efforts to ensure that it does not knowingly collect or request personal information from minors.  Site visitors are cautioned, however, that personal information received from or volunteered by children on-line or by e-mail will be treated the same as information from an adult.

Section D.  Chapter 22.7 Confidential Records. Code of Iowa 1999
It is the intention of the Urbandale Public Library to uphold the Code of Iowa but the USA Patriot Act supersedes this section of the Code of Iowa in the case of terrorism.

“The following public records shall be kept confidential, unless otherwise ordered by a court, by the lawful custodian of the records, or by another person duly authorized to release such information: …

13. The records of a library which, by themselves or when examined with other public records, would reveal the identity of the library patron checking out or requesting an item or information from the library. The records shall be released to a criminal or juvenile justice agency only pursuant to an investigation of a particular person or organization suspected of committing a known crime. The records shall be released only upon a judicial determination that a rational connection exists between the requested release of information and a legitimate end and that the need for the information is cogent and compelling.

14. The material of a library, museum or archive which has been contributed by a private person to the extent of any limitation that is a condition of the contribution.”
 
Section E.  Security
The library has taken several steps to safeguard the integrity of its data and to prevent unauthorized access to the information it maintains, including but not limited to authentication, monitoring, auditing, and encryption.  Security measures have been integrated into the design, implementation and day-to-day practices of the web site operating environment as part of the library’s continuing commitment to risk management.  These measures are designed and intended to prevent corruption of data, block unknown or unauthorized access to library systems and information, and to provide reasonable protection of private information in the library’s possession.  This information should not be construed in any way as giving business, legal, or other advice, or warranting as fail proof, the security of information provided via the library's web site.

Section F.  Disclaimer
The library's web site has many links to other web sites.  These include links to web sites operated by other government agencies, nonprofit organizations and private businesses.  When a site visitor follows a link to another site, the visitor is no longer on the library's web site and this privacy policy will not apply.  When a site visitor follows a link to another web site, the visitor is subject to the privacy policy of that new site, if one exists.  Visitors linking to another site are encouraged to examine the privacy policy of that site.
Neither the library, nor any department, officer, or employee of the library warrants the accuracy, reliability or timeliness of any information published by the UPL system, nor endorses any content, viewpoints, products, or services linked from the UPL system, and shall not be held liable for any losses caused by reliance on the accuracy, reliability or timeliness of such information.  Portions of such information may be incorrect or not current.  Any person or entity that relies on any information obtained from the UPL system does so at his or her own risk.

Section G. Contact Information
For more information on this policy please contact the library at 515-278-3945, option 7.

Mailing Address:
Urbandale Public Library
3520 86th Street
Urbandale, IA 50322

Approved by Urbandale Public Library Board of Trustees 8/2003