Privacy Policy

Effective Date: October 26, 2026
Last Updated: October 26, 2026

Clayton Town & County Public Library (“the Library,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) operates the website staging.claytonaltownlibrary.com and serves the public at 45 North Midway Street, Clayton, AL 36016. Protecting the privacy of our patrons is a core library value. This policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and how we protect it — at the Library, online, and in our programs.

Our Commitment to Patron Privacy

What you read, borrow, search for, or ask about at the Library is your business. Under Alabama law (Code of Alabama § 41-8-9), library registration and circulation records are confidential. We do not share them except as required by law, such as a valid court order.

Information We Collect

We only collect what we need to provide library services:

Library card and account information: name, address, phone number, email address, and date of birth (to tell whether a card holder is a minor).
Borrowing records: items checked out, holds, and fines or fees, kept only as long as needed to run our services.
Program sign-ups: names, ages, and contact information for events, classes, and children’s activities.
Online community and website accounts: your username, profile information you choose to share, and posts or messages you make.
Messages you send us: information you give us through contact forms, email, or newsletter sign-ups.
Website usage: basic technical information such as browser type and pages visited, which helps us keep the website working.

How We Use Your Information

To issue library cards and manage borrowing
To register you or your child for programs and contact you about them
To send library news, event reminders, and newsletters (only if you sign up — you can unsubscribe at any time)
To answer your questions and requests
To keep our website and online community safe and working
To report general, anonymous statistics (for example, how many people attended a program) to our board, funders, and the state

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to anyone.

Children’s Privacy

Children are welcome at the Library and in our programs. We take extra care with information about children under 18:

A parent or guardian must sign up children under 13 for library cards, programs, and online accounts. We collect only the information needed for the child to take part.
We do not knowingly collect personal information online from children under 13 without a parent’s or guardian’s permission, in keeping with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).
Parents and guardians may ask to see, correct, or delete the information we hold about their child by contacting us.
Photos and video: We sometimes take photos at programs to share on our website and social media. We will not post a photo in which a child can be identified without permission from a parent or guardian, and we never post a child’s full name with a photo. You may tell staff at any time that you or your child should not be photographed.

Public Computers, Wi-Fi, and Internet Use

Our public computers clear browsing history and files when each session ends. We do not track individual users’ internet activity. As required for libraries that receive certain federal funding (the Children’s Internet Protection Act), our public internet access uses filtering. Adults may ask staff to disable filtering for legitimate research.

The Library’s Wi-Fi is a public network and is not secure. Please avoid sending sensitive information, such as passwords or bank details, over public Wi-Fi.

Email and Text Messages

If you give us your email address or mobile number and agree to receive messages, we may contact you about holds, overdue items, program reminders, and library news. Message and data rates may apply for texts. Reply STOP to any text to stop receiving them, or use the unsubscribe link in any email.

How We Share Information

We share personal information only:

With service providers who help us run the Library (such as our catalog, website, and email systems), and only for that purpose
When required by law, such as a valid court order
To protect the safety of patrons, staff, or library property in an emergency

Keeping Information Safe

We use reasonable safeguards to protect personal information, and only authorized Library staff and volunteers may access patron records. We keep records only as long as we need them and then delete or destroy them securely.

Cookies

Our website uses cookies to keep you signed in and to remember your preferences. You can turn off cookies in your browser, but some features, such as signing in to the online community, may not work.

Links to Other Websites

Our website links to other sites, such as online catalogs, databases, and partner organizations. Those sites have their own privacy policies, and we are not responsible for their practices.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy from time to time. The “Last Updated” date at the top shows when it last changed.

Contact Us

If you have questions about this policy or your information, please contact us:

Clayton Town & County Public Library
45 North Midway Street, Clayton, AL 36016
Phone: (334) 775-3506
Email: info@staging.claytonaltownlibrary.com