Privacy Statement
The Park Ridge Public Library is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of all library users in accordance with the Illinois Library Records Confidentiality Act and the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights. Library records are considered strictly confidential, meaning the Library does not share information about the materials patrons borrow, databases or online resources accessed, search history, computer use, questions asked of staff, programs attended, or personal information such as names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses. Limited exceptions apply only in situations involving valid court orders reviewed with legal counsel, emergency law enforcement requests involving imminent physical harm, or when a patron specifically authorizes the Library in writing to share information.
To provide library services, the Library collects limited information during library card registration, including a patron’s name, current address, contact information, and date of birth. This information is used solely to verify residency and identity, manage library accounts, provide requested services, and communicate about holds, overdue materials, billing notices, reservations, library news, and events. Patrons may opt out of non-essential communications at any time. The Library does not collect or store Social Security numbers, biometric data, or checkout history unless a patron voluntarily enables a personal reading history feature that remains inaccessible to Library staff.
The Library maintains secure, encrypted storage of patron data and limits staff access to information on a strict need-to-know basis. Printed materials containing patron information are securely disposed of in accordance with Illinois records retention requirements. The Library also carefully evaluates third-party digital vendors and databases to ensure strong privacy protections and regularly reviews vendor agreements to maintain compliance with Library privacy standards. View vendor privacy policies. On public computers, all user data, including downloaded files, browser history, visited pages, and user profiles, is removed at the end of each session.
Patrons have the right to access and correct their personal information, opt out of non-essential communications, ask questions about Library data practices, and request deletion of their account, subject to the retention of records related to overdue or billed materials as required by law. Questions regarding privacy practices, data protection, or personal information may be directed to Library staff in person, by phone at 847-825-3123, or by email at librarydirector@parkridgelibrary.org.
Web Accessibility Statement
The Park Ridge Public Library strives to ensure that everyone has access to our full range of collections, programming, events, meetings, and services. The Library has selected the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), version 2.1, level AA, as its accessibility standard, and strives to conform to the WCAG standard to ensure our digital offers are accessible.
If you encounter any accessibility barriers when using the Library’s website or apps, or if you would like to report any accessibility concerns, whether digital, technological, or physical, or if you would like to request reasonable accommodations, please contact us at librarydirector@parkridgelibrary.org or 847-825-3123. We will provide effective communication to ensure you receive accessible content and reasonable accommodations that meet your needs. Please allow 5 days to make an accommodation request for a sign language interpreter.
