Students & Minors

Library users of all ages have a right to privacy. When students enter a school library, two expectations of privacy should be guaranteed: The right to read and borrow library materials free from scrutiny regardless of age, and the right to seek information and have the subject of academic and personal research remain private.

Library users of all ages have a right to privacy. When students enter a school library, two expectations of privacy should be guaranteed:

  • The right to read and borrow library materials free from scrutiny regardless of age, and
  • The right to seek information and have the subject of academic and personal research remain private

However, library workers in K-12 schools are bound to federal laws that those in public libraries may not be. In addition to state laws on the confidentiality of library records, library workers who serve students and minors need to have an understanding of the federal privacy laws. For example, laws such as the Family Educational Rights Act (FERPA) give parents or caregivers rights to access the educational records of their students in K-12. FERPA also denies parents or caregivers access to their student’s records when students reach 18.

Resources

These essential resources are meant to be starting points, not an exhaustive directory. The resources complement, not supplant, the myriad of other information found throughout the website.

Privacy Laws

General Privacy Guidance

ALA Guidelines and Checklists

Training

  • Lesson Plans for School Libraries: Ready to teach K-12 students about privacy? Check out these lesson plans.
  • Staff Training: Minors’ library privacy depends on the knowledge of school library workers. Take a look at this informative resource suitable for individual learning or as the basis for professional development.
Updated October 2021