Are there computer records of everything I've ever checked out of the library?

Are there any paper records other than the library card application that include any of my personal information?

What is the Patriot Act?

How does the Patriot Act affect my privacy at the library?

• Are there computer records of everything I've ever checked out of the library?
  In order to protect as much of your privacy as possible, our computers only save records of what library items are currently checked out to you. Our computer system no longer has a record of items you have checked out once they are checked in. Please call us at (307) 367-4114, stop by, or contact us via email if you have further questions or concerns.
  
  
• Are there any paper records other than the library card application that include any of my personal information?
  The only paper records we keep are the information you provided on your library card application (i.e. your contact information). If you have overdue items, an overdue notice is generated and sent to your mailing address immediately. Any overdue notices generated but not sent are shredded. Please call us at (307) 367-4114, stop by, or contact us via email if you have further questions or concerns.
  
  
• What is the Patriot Act?
  The USA PATRIOT Act, commonly known as the "Patriot" Act, is an Act of Congress that U.S. President George W. Bush signed into law on October 26, 2001. The acronym stands for "Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001" (Public Law Pub.L. 107-56). The Act's stated purpose is to "deter and punish terrorist acts in the United States and around the world, to enhance law enforcement investigatory tools, and for other purposes." It broadly expands the surveillance and investigative powers of law enforcement by amending existing privacy laws and enhances the ability of law enforcement to conduct electronic surveillance during domestic criminal investigations and intelligence investigations.
  
  More info about the Patriot Act: www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/patriotact

• How does the Patriot Act affect my privacy at the library?
  There are two specific section of the Patriot Act that affect libraries.

  Section 215: Access to records and other items under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act allows the FBI to obtain a court order without probable cause to produce "any tangible things (including books, record, papers, documents, and other items) for an authorized investigation to protect against terrorism or clandestine intelligence activities." "Any tangible thing" can include the books you check out from the library; such information can be obtained without your knowledge.
  
  Section 216: Modification of authorities relating to use of pen registers and trap and trace devices allows the capturing of information relating to Internet usage, including e-mail addresses and IP addresses and URLs for web pages.