A Letter to Parents Regarding
Your Child's Library Card

Dear Parent or Guardian,

Your child has received a library card which gives him or her the opportunity to borrow a wide range of materials including books, magazines, sound recordings, DVDs, and videos. We hope that our Library will play a vital role in your child’s life. Here are a few important policies you should know.

Library policy, in keeping with American Library Association guidelines, supports the right of every cardholder, regardless of age, to check out any circulating item. It also supports the right of individuals to choose library materials for themselves. You, as a parent, have that right and responsibility for yourself and your child. The Library does not have the right or responsibility to act in loco parentis. Therefore, staff may not tell children what they can or cannot select or access in the Library. If there are specific materials that you do not wish your child to borrow or to use in the Library, we encourage you as the parent to set your own family rules and to tell your child.

Library users, regardless of age, have access to all library materials. Selection of library materials is not limited by the possibility that these items may come into the possession of children. Parents or legal guardians have the responsibility to monitor the use of library materials, including use of the Internet and other electronic resources, by their own children. Please speak to your child about responsible use of the Internet. While the Internet offers access to many valuable resources, information on the Internet can be inaccurate, outdated, or offensive. The Library has prepared a brochure, Internet Use Policy: A Guide for Parents and Children, that explains our policy on children’s use of the Internet at the Library, and offers tips for online safety.

The Library is legally required to protect the confidentiality of all registration and circulation records (California Government Code, section 6267). Staff can only give information about borrowing activity directly to the cardholder. This means that Library staff cannot tell you the specific titles your child has checked out on his card, except as noted below. For this information, you need to ask your child.

Parents or guardians are responsible for loss or damage of library materials checked out by minors (California Education Code, section 19911). Only information on delinquent or billed items can be disclosed to you as the financially responsible party.

Each library card is treated as a separate account. Billing or delinquent notices are sent directly to the cardholder. If money is owed on your child’s account, the child’s card, not yours, may be restricted.

If you have questions or concerns about these policies, please contact Susan Annett, Principal Librarian, Public Services, or Ellen Braby, Coordinator of Youth Services. Thank you for using our Library.

Sincerely,

Greg Mullen
Director of Library Systems/City Librarian