Privacy Law Library

Library User Records Confidentiality

NH Library Records Law

Government records · Children · Other

Makes library records identifying users, including circulation, information system and electronic viewing records, confidential at both public and non-public libraries. Records may be disclosed only for library operations, with the user's consent, or under subpoena, court order or statute; a 2025 amendment effective Jan. 1, 2026 gives parents or guardians access to a minor's current borrowing records.

Where
New Hampshire
Citation
N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. 201-D:11
Status
In force
In force since
1989-07-21
Last amended
2026-01-01
Enforced by
Not specified in the section
People can sue
No
Penalties
The section does not state a penalty.
Applies to
  • Public libraries and libraries other than public libraries in New Hampshire

Rights it gives people

  • Provide either parent or a legal guardian, on request, records of a minor's current borrowing of printed and audio-visual materials.RSA 201-D:11, II-a · From 2026-01-01

Practices it requires

  • Keep library records containing users' names or identifying information, including records of materials viewed or stored electronically, confidential.RSA 201-D:11, I
  • Disclose user records only as needed for library operations, on the user's request or consent, or under subpoena, court order or statute.RSA 201-D:11, II

Sources

Checked against these sources on 2026-09-25 by research agent (Claude), primary sources.

Unverified: Paragraph II-a is attributed to 2025, 273:1 (eff. Jan. 1, 2026) based on the section's source note; the session law text itself was not fetched

Research reference, not legal advice.