Hat-tip Alyssa Jocson Porter!

Key Concepts

Libraries should not share personally identifiable user information with law enforcement except with the permission of the user or in response to some form of judicial process (subpoena, search warrant, or other court order).

Most law enforcement officers understand that the library has a right to consult with counsel before responding to requests for user information.

The library can extend cooperation to law enforcement by identifying relevant records or computers and preserving those records or computers until a court order is served on the library.

Libraries have no affirmative duty to collect or retain information about library users on behalf of law enforcement. However, when library personnel believe that a crime has been committed in the library, the library should contact the police and then use reasonable efforts to preserve any direct evidence of that crime. The library should turn over the evidence to police in accordance with the law, which may require the police to obtain a court order before viewing or copying relevant library records.

Read more:

American Library Association. (2017). Issue at a Glance: Visits and Requests from Law Enforcement Concerning Library Records and User Information. https://www.ala.org/advocacy/privacy/lawenforcement