DOTHAN, Ala. (WDNews) — The Dothan Houston County Library System (DHCLS) Board of Trustees has approved a new Patron Records Retention Policy aimed at improving recordkeeping and protecting personal data.
The policy, approved on June 11, 2025, calls for the removal of library accounts that have been both expired and inactive for at least three years. Library officials say the effort is part of a routine update to ensure patron records are accurate and secure.
“It’s important for us to have an accurate count of our patrons,” DHCLS said in a statement. “This information is used for government funding, grant applications, and responsible data management.”
Active patrons—those who have recently checked out books, accessed digital materials, or attended programs—will not be affected.
Library users can check the status of their card by:
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Visiting any DHCLS location and speaking with a staff member,
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Using a self-checkout kiosk,
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Logging into their account through the library’s online catalog,
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Or checking access via the Libby app.
Anyone whose card has expired can avoid account removal by visiting a DHCLS branch before August 1, 2025, with a photo ID and proof of residency. Free cards are available to residents, workers, students, and property owners in Houston County, along with military dependents. Non-residents may purchase a card for $25 per year.
Accounts with outstanding fines or overdue materials will not be removed, according to the library.
If a deleted account holder wishes to rejoin, they can apply for a new library card following standard procedures. Details are available at dhcls.org/how-do-i/get-a-library-card.
For additional questions, contact DHCLS at [email protected].
