Privacy Policy
(Approved by CELA Board April 13, 2026)
Overview
The Centre for Equitable Library Access (CELA) provides accessible reading materials and related services to people with print disabilities in Canada.
CELA is committed to preserving and safeguarding the privacy of its users, including, but not limited to, individuals who browse celalibrary.ca or bibliocaeb.ca, or individuals who contact CELA through any medium, including vendors, merchants, contributors of Content and Eligible Users (“Users”).
Eligible users include people with print disabilities, as well as library staff, educators, designates, and other professionals supporting people with print disabilities, who either have an account or who are eligible for an account with CELA (“Eligible Users”).
Content means all content available through celalibrary.ca and bibliocaeb.ca, including text, data, graphics, photographs, images, audio, video, software, trademarks, service marks, trade names, Accessible Works and other materials (collectively, the “Content”).
Accessible works are copyrighted works made available in accessible formats and are restricted by law or license agreement that use must be for people with print disabilities or perceptual disabilities as defined by Canada's Copyright Act (“Accessible Works”).
We handle all personal information in accordance with applicable privacy legislation and relevant provincial or jurisdictional laws. In delivering our services, we sometimes work with trusted partner organizations and service providers that help us manage technology, data systems, support, and communications.
As part of this commitment, CELA wants its Users to be fully aware of how their personal information is collected, used, disclosed, and otherwise managed.
This Privacy Policy (“Policy”) sets out the way CELA will manage the personal information of its Users.
Collection of Information
Personal Information
CELA collects only the information needed to provide our services to Users or to communicate with Users, including, as applicable:
- Name, contact information, and library card number
- Date of birth, which is optional for Users age 17 and over
- Self-declaration of eligibility for CELA services as a person with a print disability
- Optional information about the type of qualifying print disability
- Preferred language of communication
- Information about a designate person to help the User use CELA services, including their name, relationship to the User, and contact details (optional)
- Information about reading format choices and accessibility needs
- Records of materials borrowed or requested
- Account and communication history with CELA
- Optional proof of disability documentation for Bookshare collection access (Note: CELA does not share any personal information with Bookshare)
CELA only collects information needed to provide or improve our services and to communicate with a User, and we never sell, trade, or share personal information with third parties, except as needed to provide services through libraries as described below. All information about Users is stored in Canada.
CELA collects personal information, as applicable, when a User:
- Registers for an account on celalibrary.ca/bibliocaeb.ca
- Participates in any interactive feature of celalibrary.ca/bibliocaeb.ca
- Requests email communications
- Provides comments or suggestions
General Anonymous Information
CELA may also automatically collect general anonymous information related to the use of celalibrary.ca/bibliocaeb.ca, such as the date and time individuals visit the website and the pages visited. In addition, CELA collects cookie information from the browser to identify individuals’ computers and provide a record of their visits.
Use of Information
CELA uses this information to:
- Provide and manage access to CELA services
- Communicate to the User about their account, programs, and service updates
- Improve our services, collections, and user experience
- Comply with legal or reporting requirements
- Investigate any violations of the Acceptable Use Policy
Disclosure of Personal Information to Libraries
CELA may share an Eligible User’s library card number with that Eligible User’s corresponding library to support and facilitate library service. Additional personal information beyond the library card number will not be shared with the Eligible User’s library without the explicit permission of the Eligible User.
CELA does not sell, rent, or otherwise disclose any personal information about Users to any third party, other than as described above for libraries.
Use of Contracted Service Providers
CELA may engage contracted service providers to manage certain technology and data services on our behalf. These may include:
- Information technology (IT) support and maintenance
- Data hosting and cloud storage
- Website operation and analytics
- User support, including phone and email
Service providers are bound by strict confidentiality and security requirements. They may only use personal information to provide services to CELA, and not for their own purposes. CELA ensures that all service providers meet or exceed our privacy and security standards through written agreements and regular oversight.
Security of Personal Information
CELA maintains personal information in appropriately secure data storage on servers located in Canada to safeguard it from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure.
CELA maintains strict confidentiality of all personal information and only discloses it to employees and contractors of CELA who require it for the purposes set out above.
Retention
Personal information will be kept only as long as necessary or relevant for the purposes stated above or as otherwise required by law.
Notification in Event of a Security Breach
If CELA becomes aware of a privacy or security breach involving personal information under our control, we will follow our Cybersecurity Incident Response Plan, including:
- Taking immediate steps to contain the breach and prevent further unauthorized access
- Assessing the risk of harm to individuals whose information may be affected
- Notifying affected individuals as soon as possible if the breach creates a real risk of significant harm
- Notifying required authorities as required by law
- Providing information and support to help affected individuals protect themselves
- Reviewing and strengthening safeguards to prevent similar incidents in the future
Notifications will be made in plain language and in an accessible format, consistent with CELA’s commitment to accessibility and transparency.
How to Contact Us
Users consent to the collection, use, and disclosure of their personal information as described in this Policy. A User may withdraw consent at any time, subject to legal or contractual restrictions and reasonable notice.
If a User would like to review or update personal information in the possession of CELA, or withdraw their consent for its collection, use, and/or disclosure, or if there are any inquiries or comments about this Policy, please contact CELA’s Privacy Officer by email at privacy@celalibrary.ca.
Updates to this Policy
CELA may update this Policy from time to time. The revised version will be posted on our website with the new effective date. We will notify Users on our mailing list via email of the updated Policy. Continued contact with CELA, browsing, accessing or using celalibrary.ca or bibliocaeb.ca, or use of CELA services after this Policy is updated constitutes acceptance of the revised Policy.
Effective June 1, 2026