HopNews
Why are librarians always asking for my library card?
You know the drill. You stop in the library on your lunch break, or with the kids in tow, or on your way home from a doctor’s appointment. You have a book waiting for you on the hold shelf, and you give the librarian your name and, possibly, the title of the book. The librarian doesn’t turn around and get the book off the shelf; instead, you’re asked for your library card.
Do you have it on you? Of course not. It’s on your other set of keys. Or in your purse, and you just grabbed your wallet. Or in your car. Or maybe under the couch? Who knows? You want your book, and the librarian is waiting for a card you definitely left… somewhere. What gives?
Do I need a library card to use the library?
Your library card is your gateway to library services. Although you can enter the library and sit down to read a book without a library card, a card is needed to check books out to take them home, to request books from other libraries, and to sign into library databases or services like Libby or Hoopla. Some libraries also require library cards for computer use, study room reservations, or event attendance, though we don’t.
Why do I need a library card to do these things?
A library card is physical evidence of you having a library account, much like your credit card is evidence of having a credit account with a bank. Your library account is actually the key to all this.
Your library account contains information about you that helps librarians provide you with services. This could be something like your email address so that we can send you an email when a book you were waiting for arrives, or your phone number so that we can give you a call when you return the DVD case without the disk (guilty…).
Regarding databases, your library account confirms that you reside in Hopkinton and notifies the database that you are a member of the library that subscribes to it. If you lived in a different town, your library might subscribe to a different set of databases, which a card from that library would grant access to.
What information about me do librarians keep?
Very little. Your library card account contains your name, phone number, email address, home address, and date of birth. Librarians can see what books you have checked out right now, whether any of them are overdue, and how much money you owe on late or lost items.
Your library card account does not keep track of the books you have read. There is a way for you to enable this feature and view the list on your account when you log in, but librarians cannot see it. It also does not have your driver’s license number, your passport information, your citizenship status, the names of your family members, or the genres of books you like to read.
That’s… actually not really a lot of info. Just my contact info and birthday?
Yes. Part of this is because librarians don’t need much else. Part of the American Library Association Bill of Rights says, “A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.” This means that we won’t stop you from using a library or part of a library due to any of those things. We don’t care if you’re a citizen, if you have a driver’s license, or what kinds of books you like to read.
I mean, we do care about you; we just don’t need to know those things (or keep records of them) to provide standard services.
The American Library Association also has a separate section that addresses privacy specifically. It states, “All people, regardless of origin, age, background, or views, possess a right to privacy and confidentiality in their library use. Libraries should advocate for, educate about, and protect people’s privacy, safeguarding all library use data, including personally identifiable information.”
Basically, it isn’t anybody’s business what you’re reading in the library, and it’s your librarian’s duty to safeguard your privacy.
Ok, but I’m just trying to get my book. It’s not life or death here.
Generally, no. However, librarians assist people with a wide range of tasks, and some of these tasks are sensitive in nature. I have assisted women in abusive relationships trying to find ways out, helped people navigate complex medical diagnoses not yet revealed to their families, and offered resources for folks leaving unsafe working conditions.
These are all times when you might want your librarian to be discreet. Someone in a relationship they plan to leave might not want a librarian to hand a book on divorce to their partner, whom they plan to leave. Especially if they have not broached the topic with the partner yet, or if the partner is abusive or might become abusive.
Similarly, a teenager who holds different viewpoints from their parent might want the space to explore those viewpoints without their parent breathing down their neck. Or they might be embarrassed if their parent found them reading a romance book. Or a book about a profession they are interested in but that they know their parents disapprove of. Or literally anything, because honestly, we all know some teens can get embarrassed just by existing.
Please just let my partner, kid, or parent pick up my book for me. I promise, they’re great.
Absolutely. The next time you’re in the library, ask the librarian to add a note to your account that your spouse, or kid, or parent can pick up books for you. Alternatively, send your designated errand-runner to the library with your library card or a photo of it. We count that as permission, too.
Ok, that sounds pretty simple. But what about when I come in? Can’t you look me up?
Yes, but.
The “but” is that to look you up, you must verbally verify information like your name and home address. You wouldn’t stand on the corner of Main Street waving a poster with your phone number and home address on it. Saying it out loud in the library is the next best thing.
When you have your library card with you, a librarian doesn’t even need to ask you for your name to help you. Your information stays private and outside of prying ears.
But it’s such a pain. Just another thing on the keyring!
As the proud owner of 7+ library cards, I hear you. Fortunately, if you prefer not to bring your physical card, digital options are available. For your library card, we recommend the CWMARS app, which, in addition to saving your library card number, allows you to view what you have checked out, place holds, and browse for books.
Ok. Now, can I have my book?
Yes. May I scan your library card?
In this day and age, the need for a physical card is unnecessary. If they do have a database, then all they need is a scanner for a barcode or QR code that represents your account. A simple image stored on your phone. One less thing on the key ring and solves the problem of having to call ahead to allow someone to pick up a book.