Library service privacy notice

Who we are and what we do

We work in partnership with the London Libraries Consortium to provide a library service. The partnership collects and stores data in a shared database to enable you to use libraries across London.

Why we need your information and how we use it Click to get info

We will only collect the minimum personal data required to deliver the service, which includes name, address, date of birth, telephone number and email address. We are collecting this data because the data is necessary to carry out the agreement you have entered into i.e. becoming a library member. It may also include personal information relating to gender, ethnicity, language and disability.

The lawful basis for processing your data Click to get info

We are legally required to provide a library service under the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 and in order to provide the service efficiently and carry out this public task, we need to hold and process your data. If you do not provide this we will be unable to provide a library service to you. We will also use data for audit and quality control and to enable the handling of enquiries and complaints.

Who your information will be shared with Click to get info

The data you provide may also be accessible to the suppliers of our library management systems. These suppliers have committed to handling data in accordance with the principles in the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the New Data Protection Act (2018), and will only do so to the extent that it is required to maintain the library management systems. Your data may also be shared with the councils’ service delivery partners. We will only share your data with these partners where we have a data sharing agreement in place and only for the purpose of delivering more effective public services to you. Your data will not be transferred abroad.

The Councils are required by law to uphold the law and protect the public funds they administer. They may share information provided to them with other bodies responsible for crime prevention, auditing, administering public funds, or where undertaking a public function, in order to prevent and detect crime including fraud.

For more information about how we process your personal information please visit our corporate privacy notice webpage.

How long we will keep your data for Click to get info

We will hold this data for up to two years after your last transaction with us to meet audit requirements. However, if you have unreturned items or outstanding debt your data may be retained further. After this, your information will be deleted or archived. If you wish to view your details at any time, please go online at www.walthamforest.gov.uk/libraries or ask a member of library staff.