Practical Ideas: Protecting Students' Privacy in Your School Library

Emily, a K–12 librarian, was surprised when her high school principal asked who had checked out a Nook with specific titles loaded on it. A knowledgeable professional, Emily explained that divulging that information would infringe on the student’s privacy, and that she protects borrowing records through provisions of their state’s library records law, the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), and the American Library Association (ALA) Code of Ethics (Emily, email message to author, November 2, 2012).

CIRCULATION, BOOK RESERVES, AND BROWSING PRIVACY

Many conversations take place daily in the circulation area in school libraries. Kelly, a K-12 librarian in Pennsylvania, recounted,

With my elementary students, I do book check-in and check-out individually which gives me a chance to greet all the students that enter my library personally, as well as maintain their privacy. I have duct taped an ‘X’ on the floor indicating where K-2 students should stand when I call them to check in. I talk with them as I check in their books. They love it. It gives them a chance to share something special with me. I use the same process for check-out (Kelly, online exchange with author, May 5, 2013).

With this simple system, Kelly has created an “island of privacy,” using it to demonstrate to young students their right to privacy in the library.

According to Cheryl, a Pennsylvania middle school/high school librarian,

Often as my middle school students are checking out books, they say things like, “I’m checking this one out because... (insert reason here).” Yesterday when a girl was checking out two books, she explained one was for her English independent reading and the other was a graphic novel she wanted to try. I reminded her that I am happy she’s checking out books and that she doesn’t have to tell me her reasons for doing so. She gets to choose and read whatever she wants without judgment from me (Cheryl, online exchanges with author, February 27 and May 8, 2013).

Cheryl’s comments reflect best practice in carrying out Article III of the ALA Code of Ethics which advocates that librarians protect library users’ privacy (ALA 2008).

Jessica, an elementary librarian in New York, shared her recent changes related to reserves,

Our third graders frequently ask me to put a book on hold. I used to say, “when Johnny brings it back, you can borrow it.” This, however, infringes on “Johnny’s” privacy. I now say, “when the book is returned, you will be notified and can borrow it” (Jessica, online exchange with author, May 9, 2013).

School librarians can also protect students’ privacy when browsing. Design quiet nooks with a comfy chair and make books on hot button topics readily available on a small table nearby (Adams 2013, 139). For students who don’t want to be seen perusing specific Dewey areas, conveniently set baskets filled with books on sensitive issues around the library.

EDUCATING STUDENTS ABOUT PRIVACY

Teaching students about their privacy rights when using school libraries is one of the responsibilities of school librarians. Cheryl begins each school year with an orientation for sixth and seventh grade students.

During library orientation, I let students know that it’s no one’s business what they read (except their parent/guardian). It’s not their friend’s concern or other peers’ either. I make it very clear that I don’t judge students or make assumptions about them based on the books they check out. Just because they borrow a book on drugs, doesn’t mean I think they must be doing drugs. I point out that I don’t share [titles of] books they have checked out with other teachers or students. I have book covers they may use if they are uncomfortable checking out a particular book and having others see it. A few students have accepted my offer to borrow [stretchable fabric] book covers. Most were “freebies” from the military recruiters and are plain camo colored, but others are the school color. They return the book, and I get the cover back (Cheryl, online exchanges with author, February 27 and May 8, 2013).

PRIVACY POLICIES ARE KEY

One of the best ways to protect students’ privacy and the confidentiality of their library use records is to have a board-approved privacy policy. The ALA recommends that every school library have a policy that describes how students’ privacy is protected, when their library records may be disclosed, and to whom. The policy should cover circulation records for all types of materials including ebooks. ALA also counsels that the policy should include references to state library records law where it is strong and guidelines for the exceptions when student “education records” (including library records) may be released under FERPA (ALA 2012). Educating the school community about the privacy policy is one way to observe ALA’s Choose Privacy Week, held annually during the first week in May.

School Library Privacy Resources:

• American Association of School Librarians. “Position Statement on the Confidentiality of Library Records. 2012. http://www.ala.org/aasl/advocacy/resources/position-statements/library-records
• American Library Association. “Privacy Tool Kit.” http://www.ala.org/offices/oif/iftoolkits/toolkitsprivacy/privacy http://www.ala.org/advocacy/privacyconfidentiality/toolkitsprivacy/privacy
• American Library Association. Choose Privacy Week. http://chooseprivacyweek.org/