Privacy Policy

As a member of the Minuteman Library Network the Watertown Free Public Library adheres to the network’s privacy policy regarding the privacy of patron records.

Patrons are encouraged to protect their privacy when participating in online social media forums. The WFPL is committed to protecting the confidentiality and privacy of patron records, however patron privacy does not extend when using social media forums where the patron may identify him or herself as a patron of the WFPL. By posting content on a social media forum, the patron acknowledges that he or she may be forfeiting any expectation of patron privacy.

A patron may need to create a user and password to post content on our social media forums, make requests for information, sign up for programs and make comments. Patrons are urged to protect their privacy. Patrons should not post personally identifying information, including but not limited to: last name, school, age, phone number, address, library card number. The WFPL recommends use of a generic username that is not personally identifying.

The WFPL will not sell, lease or distribute or disclose your e-mail address, postal address, phone number, borrower records or other personal information for non-library purposes to outside parties unless required by law.

Please note, however, that each social media site may have its own terms of service and/or privacy policies. This may include the collection and/or dissemination of personal identifying information by the social media site host. The collection and/or dissemination is beyond the control of the Library, and may not be governed or limited by those state, federal and local laws applicable to the Library. Users should consult each social media site’s terms of service, use and/or privacy policies for more information.

The Library is very concerned about the issue of children's privacy. Library staff ask all children who access services from our website to limit the amount of personal information they provide, and to read the safety tips that we provide in conjunction with our online activities for children. The Library encourages all parents and guardians to learn about their children's online activities and to participate in their children's exploration of the internet. The WFPL also encourages parents and guardians to tell their children about the importance not revealing personal information online and asking for permission before providing their last name or contact information to any website, or before purchasing any products or services online. For further information, please visit the following pages:

The WFPL will never disclose a child's personal information as name, address, etc. without written approval from a parent or legal guardian. In accordance with Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), the Library will only display on our pages a child's first name, last initial, and/or age on our sites to announce contest winners and display user submitted comments or user submitted artwork.

The WFPL itself will not sell, lease or distribute or disclose your e-mail address, postal address, phone number, borrower records or other personal information for non-library purposes to outside parties unless required by law. The WFPL does not control what information is collected and or disseminated by the social media site host, and therefore users should review any applicable terms of service and/or use and privacy policies of each social media site in this regard.

Indemnification 
By posting content, the patron/user agrees to indemnify the WFPL and its officers and employees from and against all liabilities, judgments and damages and costs (including attorney’s fees) incurred by any of them which arise out of or are related to the posted content.

If any user does not agree to these terms, he or she should not use the social media services.

Approved March 6, 2012