Booksology Links and citations to these three articles are provided below. The first one was all written by me, Kelly Jensen. I asked Brooklyn Public Library’s Amy Mikel, a leading authority on library card registration policy, to write about where and how the library card registration process intersects with censorship. Finally, Amy and I collaborated on a question-and-answer article about what was working well and where libraries could improve.
Do minors have a right to privacy in the library?
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According to the ALA, the right to privacy also applies to minors. This is a powerful policy, especially for young people whose home life is far from secure. Young people with library cards can borrow whatever they want without worrying that their library loan records will be exposed to others. At least, that’s the theory. In reality, these privacy rights for under-18s vary from state to state and library to library. There are many reasons for this. These include how libraries set up applications to obtain library cards, who is responsible for materials borrowed with a library card, and what authority a parent’s signature gives a minor’s card application. Libraries also differ in how they follow policies and procedures recommended by professional bodies, taking into account local practices and expectations as well as their own experiences in the community. Privacy can be much more difficult in small towns than in large systems.
Library cards – the new landscape of public library censorship
Those passionate about censoring books and reading have turned to library cards as an important tool for restricting young people’s access to public libraries. Lawmakers and library authorities considering censoring books and reading are beginning to introduce restrictions on how public libraries issue library cards to minors. This approach helps to effectively block adolescents’ access to libraries, partially or completely, and also cools their tendency to read freely by restricting minors’ privacy rights in library use.
“Would someone care about our children?” – Youth Library Cards and Privacy Q+A
KELLY: The public and legislative authorities who have been central to censorship since 2021 have done everything they can to restrict access to materials, defund and destabilize libraries. One such move is to limit or completely exclude libraries and the librarians who work there from interacting with the American Library Association. It’s not just membership that’s prohibited. So are the policies and procedures that libraries have used for decades to ensure that they meet their purpose. What can library personnel at such institutions, who do not subscribe to the Library Bill of Rights or other fundamental philosophies and practices, do to ensure that both adult and youth patrons have the best possible access to materials and services? What about libraries that can and do function within the ALA framework but still have restrictions and barriers in place through library card policies?
Amy: Even libraries that fully subscribe to the fundamental values and ethics outlined in ALA’s Bill of Rights and Freedom to Read Statement struggle to make sound legal and operational decisions to promote access while properly managing their buildings, services, and collections. We will also create a welcoming space for all library users and protect the safety and health of our staff. That’s a tall order!
Regardless of ALA membership, it is generally considered a best practice for libraries to develop a list of standard book policies and to review and republish each policy at least every five years.
Civil service employees should be aware that library card rules may deny library services to eligible patrons because they are vague, outdated, or unfair. Next, check your library’s existing registration policy (if any) and be sure to check the service standards issued by your state’s governing body (you can start by checking with your state library association). Appeal to the government for change.
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At the 2026 American Library Association Conference in June, the council voted in favor of a resolution stating that access to library cards is a fundamental right and that more research and resources should be devoted to studying how these policies can prioritize social equity. This proposal, introduced by Stephanie Chase, was inspired by and strengthened by Amy Mikel’s work at the Brooklyn Public Library, and successfully passed. You can read the full proposal here. We’re calling on libraries and library associations to spend more time and effort making library cards as accessible and barrier-free as possible.
Even if you are not a decision maker at your library, you can consider where and how your library’s policies align with your library’s values and mission. You can address where and how card policies may impede access, or ask if the library has a children’s privacy policy with your immediate supervisor. Libraries aim to be socially just places. Your voice and advocacy will make a difference.
September is library card sign-up month and also the traditional start of the new school year. There’s never been a better time to consider who can get the most out of your library, who can’t, and why.
