Privacy and Internet Policies

We maintain the confidentiality of all library records and support intellectual freedom of our St. Kate's community.

The St. Catherine University Library maintains the confidentiality of all library records in accordance with the American Library Association Code of Ethics. Article III of the Code of Ethics states “We protect each library user’s right to privacy and confidentiality with respect to information sought or received and resources consulted, borrowed, acquired or transmitted.” The Library also support the privacy provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which protects the privacy of students’ educational records.

Confidential records include, but are not limited to, circulation records, registration records, reference requests, reference and Internet searches, and interlibrary loan requests.

No employee of the St. Catherine University Library shall reveal confidential user information to any inquiries.

In the event of a request for information about a faculty, student, or staff record from a federal, state, or local law enforcement agency, such as in relation to the USA PATRIOT Act, employees of the Library should contact the Library Director. The Director will request legal advice from the University administration. No action should be taken without the Director’s authorization.

The St. Catherine University Library unquestionably support intellectual freedom and the principles of the First Amendment for students, faculty, and staff of the university. Therefore, as part of an open research process, the Library provide access to all content found on the Internet for the entire St. Catherine community, also including alumni, Sisters of St. Joseph, and Friends of the St. Catherine University Library. There will be no censorship by the St. Catherine University Library either of Internet content, or of Internet material accessed by a particular library user who is a member of the St. Catherine community.

An Internet page accessed by a St. Catherine University community member may contain material offensive to another user. Because members of the St. Catherine community have a right to privacy and to an environment free from sexual harassment, St. Catherine community members whose Internet use is legal but offensive to other nearby library users may be asked to work at a computer where content is not visible to others.

All users must abide by local St. Paul, Minnesota, or U.S. federal laws regarding possession of child pornography, or other illegal Internet activities.

Those not affiliated with St. Catherine University do not have the same privileges with regard to viewing of Internet materials as those provided to the St. Catherine community (noted above). Open viewing by visitors of pornographic or obscene materials in the presence of library staff or users is considered sexual harassment. Visitors who access electronically displayed images that are offensive to other users of the library will be told to cease displaying the offensive materials or told to leave the library immediately. If the actions persist or the on-duty staff of the library perceive any danger to the safety of self or others, Public Safety (x8888) will be called.

Parents, legal guardians, or care providers of pre-high school age children are responsible for their children’s use of the Internet while in the library.

The Internet is an information source that contains materials that are of varied quality and/or validity. The St. Catherine University Library does not control or monitor Internet content, and cannot be held accountable for any information accessed through the Internet. Users are responsible for scrutinizing information of the Internet for reliability and point of view. Librarians can assist with this process.

Policies approved October 12, 2012