Privacy Statement
Courthouse Libraries BC is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of those who use our services—whether through our websites, in person, by phone, by email, or third party applications that we use (including survey, event registration, mailing list, and webinar platforms).
We are a public body under BC’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA). While this privacy statement includes specific notices relevant to our privacy practices around our use of websites and other online platforms, our Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Policy is the official policy approved by our Board.
In addition to being a public body under FIPPA, we are a library that respects the professional ethics of librarianship. Unless restricted by law, we keep the identities of our clients, and their use of library materials, services, and programs, confidential. Our librarians are not lawyers, however, and information provided to our employees is not protected by solicitor-client privilege.
How we collect, use, and disclose personal information
We only collect personal information as authorized by FIPPA. The most common legal authority for collecting personal information is when you request access to our services or programs—whether online or in-person. The personal information we collect is what’s necessary to fulfill your request, or for planning or evaluating our services or programs. If we receive personal information that is clearly unrelated to our services or programs, we do not treat it as collected under FIPPA and may delete, destroy, or return it.
Personal information will only be used or disclosed in accordance with FIPPA. This means we use or disclose personal information only to carry out the purpose for which it was collected, or for a related and authorized purpose, or in a manner that you have expressly consented to. Personal information is generally only disclosed to employees when it is necessary for them to perform their duties. In less common circumstances we may use or disclose personal information as authorized or required by law. For example, compelling circumstances affecting health or safety may require disclosure. We never sell personal information or share it with others for marketing or fundraising purposes.
Requests for disclosure of personal information from law enforcement must be made in writing to our Privacy Officer or CEO.
Courthouse Libraries BC sends newsletters and other email communications in compliance with Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL). Where you have subscribed to receive email messages, emails you receive include an option to unsubscribe. You may also receive system-generated emails as part of a service you have requested (e.g. confirmation of a registration or reply to a question).
Website cookies and server logs
When you visit one of our websites, it sends one or more cookies (small text files) to be stored on your device. Some cookies are necessary for basic functions (e.g., page navigation, session security). We may also use preference and analytics cookies to improve services. You can control non-essential cookies through your browser settings.
Our server logs automatically collect information, such as your IP address, browser type, and the date and time of your visit, which we use to monitor site performance, usage trends, and security. Under FIPPA, IP addresses may be considered personal information. We do not use this data to identify individuals unless required to do so for legal, security, or compliance purposes.
Analytics and usage tracking
We use analytics tools to help us understand how visitors use our websites and online platforms, and to improve these services. These tools use cookies to collect standard web-usage data, such as pages visited, search terms, types of devices or browsers used, session length, and time spent on a page. Our public websites currently use Google Analytics for these purposes. IP addresses are not stored by Google Analytics, and any location-related information is anonymized or estimated. Read more about How Google Uses Cookies. For further information, you can refer to the Terms of Service of Google Analytics.
We do not use analytics to collect sensitive or demographic information such as age, gender, or interests. Our use of analytics is limited to aggregate, non-identifying statistics.
By using these websites, you consent to the processing of data about you in the manner and for the purposes set out above. However, you can also choose to decline cookies from Google Analytics by selecting the appropriate settings on your browser.
Internal analytics for professional platforms
Courthouse Libraries BC also uses secure analytics tools within Lawbster, our professional intranet platform. These analytics tools record information such as login times, pages visited, search queries, and downloads to help us understand how the platform is used, plan improvements, troubleshoot technical issues, and enforce the platform’s terms of use. Access to analytics data is restricted to authorized Courthouse Libraries employees and service providers who require the information to carry out their duties We do not use this data to monitor individual user activities except when required to investigating misuse of the platform, respond to support requests, or maintain system security. Lawbster users may request access to their own usage data. To make a request or ask questions about how this data is handled, please contact our Privacy Officer at privacy@courthouselibrary.ca.
Security
We take appropriate industry standard security measures to help safeguard personal information. We use administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. These safeguards apply across the public-facing websites, platforms and information systems, including internal networks, cloud-based applications, and third-party service providers that support our operations.
Access to personal information is restricted to employees and service providers who require the information to carry out their duties. Where third-party services are used to process or store personal information in our custody or control, we assess these services and ensure they are contractually required to meet privacy and security expectations consistent with our obligations under FIPPA and with recognized industry best practices.
Privacy questions or concerns
If you have any comments or questions about how your personal information is handled, or about this privacy statement, please contact our Privacy Officer: privacy@courthouselibrary.ca
Last updated January 2026