Service Guidelines and Scope
Kent District Library’s Ask KDL staff can provide brief answers to factual questions or suggest resources that might help answer your question. If you need assistance conducting more in-depth research or have questions regarding your library account, please contact one of our branches directly.
For questions related directly to library policies or services please see our FAQs page.
We will e-mail a reply to your question within 1-2 business days whenever possible. Responses to questions received on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday may take slightly longer. If you need the information immediately, you may wish to call or visit your local KDL branch library.
Waiver
Michigan law and KDL policy (see below) require your consent to send information by email. Email is not considered to be “private” because others may have access to your email messages. If you click “I ACCEPT” you are agreeing to waive your right to privacy.
The Michigan Library Privacy Act states that:
Unless ordered by a court after giving the affected library notice of the request and an opportunity to be heard on the request, a library or an employee or agent of a library shall not release or disclose a library record or portion of a library record to a person without the written consent of the person liable for payment for or return of the materials identified in that library record.
KDL Policy 2.4, Privacy of User Records states that:
The Kent District Library is bound by the Michigan Library Privacy Act (MCL 397.601-605) in which a “library record” is defined as a document, record, or other method of storing information retained by the library that personally identifies a library patron including the patron’s name, address, or telephone number, or that identifies a person as having requested or obtained specific materials from a library. The Library Privacy Act provides that a “library record” is not subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act and may not be released or disclosed to any person without the written consent of the person identified in the record unless ordered by a court. Accordingly, the Kent District Library will not release nor disclose a “library record” except as provided by the Library Privacy Act. The Library, however, may use the “library record” for the purpose of retrieving overdue materials, collecting fines and other library business permitted by law.