Concerned About Privacy?

In General

La Crosse Public Library does not retain records beyond the time required for normal business operations.

La Crosse Public Library does not provide or sell any information about library business conducted by individual library users.

Law enforcement agencies may present a court order, following a showing good cause, for the release of library records.

When you check out materials:

Wisconsin libraries are governed by Wisconsin Statutes Section 43.30(1), as amended by Act 207, which says:

"Records of any library which is in whole or in part supported by public funds, including the records of a public library system, indicating the identity of any individual who borrows or uses the library's documents or other materials, resources or services may not be disclosed except by court order or to persons acting within the scope of their duties in the administration of the library or library system, to persons authorized by the individual to inspect such records, to custodial parents or guardians of children under the age of 16 as required under sub.(4), or to libraries as authorized under subs. (2) and (3)."

La Crosse Public Library follows state statutes regarding patron confidentiality. The statute states that information on library records may be disclosed to persons authorized by the individual to inspect such records. Therefore, unless a card has been reported lost or stolen, we will give information on library records to whoever presents the library card; we assume that possession of the library card (by spouse, parent, or even unrelated individuals) implies authorization.  In no case are records disclosed to unauthorized persons.

When you use a Library computer

La Crosse Public Library does not retain historical records of sites visited beyond the time required for normal business operations.