Privacy in School Libraries: Key Resources Bibliography

Print Resources

Adams, Helen R. Protecting Intellectual Freedom and Privacy in Your School Library. Santa Barbara, California: Libraries Unlimited 2013.

Based on the “IF Matters” columns in School Library Monthly, this book offers practical guidance on intellectual freedom issues related to students’ access to information and privacy in school libraries. In its nine chapters, the book discusses intellectual freedom in a school library context; and in the longest chapter, multiple aspects of privacy for minors using school libraries are addressed. It examines whether the age of the student should make a difference in protecting students’ privacy, how circulation systems and other technologies affect privacy, retaining library circulation records, and when to violate a student’s privacy. A checklist for evaluating students’ privacy in a library is included.

Chmara, Theresa. "Privacy and E-Books." Knowledge Quest 40 (January/February 2012): 62-65.

Along with emphasizing the need for school librarians to be aware of privacy risks when using e-readers, Chmara, legal counsel to the Freedom to Read Foundation, makes a strong case for having a privacy policy. She leads the reader through why privacy protection is crucial to enable students to use their First Amendment right to read and receive information in school libraries and also describes the elements that should appear in the privacy policy.  

Magi, Trina and Garnar, Martin, eds. Intellectual Freedom Manual, 9th ed. Chicago: ALA Editions, 2015.

Privacy is one of the nine issues discussed in depth in the latest edition of the time-tested “bible” of intellectual freedom. Chapter seven, “Privacy and Confidentiality,” contains the “issue at a Glance” section with key privacy concepts and tips aimed at school libraries. Equally enlightening is the essay “The Law Regarding Privacy and Confidentiality in Libraries,” written by Deborah Caldwell-Stone, deputy director of the Office for Intellectual Freedom and an attorney. Similar to Chmara’s article, she connects the need for privacy to the protection of users’ First Amendment rights in libraries. Caldwell-Stone also discusses state library records laws and federal privacy legislation such as the Family Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Chapter three of this book contains useful information on creating a privacy policy.

Panter, Suzanna. “To Protect and Serve.” Knowledge Quest (September/October 2015

Librarians are the guardians of students’ library privacy, and they must be knowledgeable about how to respond to requests for library records from law enforcement officers. In this recounting of a true incident, an elementary librarian was asked repeatedly to reveal the name of the borrower of a library book found at the scene of a crime. Fortunately, the district’s library supervisor and legal counsel supported the librarian’s refusal to reveal the library user’s name until law enforcement officials produced the necessary subpoena.

Online Resources

Choose Privacy Week. American Library Association. Office for Intellectual Freedom. https://chooseprivacyweek.org/.

In 2010 ALA established Choose Privacy Week (CPW) to help librarians educate their users about personal and library privacy. CPW is observed the first week of May annually, and ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom establishes a theme. Activities include blog posts related to privacy issues and frequently a free webinar with information librarians can use locally. Beyond CPW, the website has a daily privacy news feed and posts of interest to librarians. This national event and the website provide school librarians with a source of information to spotlight privacy for students and staff.

“Library Privacy Guidelines for E-book Lending and Digital Content Vendors.” June 29, 2015. American Library Association. Office for Intellectual Freedom. http://www.ala.org/advocacy/library-privacy-guidelines-e-book-lending-and-digital-content-vendors/.

This is the first in a series of brief guidelines created by the ALA Privacy Subcommittee that target technology-related issues highlighted in the “Privacy Tool Kit.” The intent of the guidelines is to initiate a discussion between libraries and e-book vendors in an effort balance protecting readers’ privacy with the collection of data for library management purposes. It also addresses vendor collection of user information, sharing of user information, data retention, and data security. The guidelines provide school librarians with specific issues to discuss as they consider purchase of e-books, journals, and databases.

"Privacy: An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights." Amended July 1, 2014. American Library Association. Office for Intellectual Freedom. http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill/interpretations/privacy/.

This interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights describes the legal basis for the right of library privacy, outlines the rights of library users, and discusses the responsibility of library staff to protect patrons’ privacy. Its extensive end notes contain explanations and links to privacy-related court cases, state laws, and ALA policies.

Privacy Rights Clearinghouse. https://www.privacyrights.org/.

Although not a library-related privacy website, the PRC is dedicated to alerting consumers about the effect of various technologies and media formats on their privacy. This is a good resource for librarians to monitor for personal privacy information that can be shared with students and staff. The “Privacy Basics” section provides links to useful fact sheets related to personal data protection.

“Privacy Tool Kit.” Revised January 2014. American Library Association. Office for Intellectual Freedom.  http://www.ala.org/advocacy/privacyconfidentiality/toolkitsprivacy/privacy/.

The ALA “Privacy Tool Kit” provides background on privacy as a core value of the profession, guidance on creating a privacy policy, information on emerging technologies associated with privacy concerns, key privacy talking points, and links to resources for advocacy efforts. Special care was taken in the recent revision to include school library privacy. Although there are no examples of privacy policies for school libraries, the tool kit includes links to current privacy policies of public and academic libraries.

“Questions and Answers on Privacy and Confidentiality.” Revised July 1, 2014.  American Library Association. Office for Intellectual Freedom. http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill/interpretations/qa-privacy/.

This Q&A was created to expand the ideas and concepts found in “Privacy: An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights.” It is divided into four sections: I. Basic Concepts- Definitions, Rights, and Responsibilities; II. Protection of Privacy and Library Records; III. Security Concerns; and IV. Minors’ Privacy Rights (questions 32-34). At the end of each section, there is a brief bibliography of key print and electronic resources. Links to additional information is also found in answers. This is an excellent reference for gaining an overview of privacy and confidentiality as well as finding answers to privacy questions.

“State Privacy Laws Regarding Library Records.” American Library Association. Office for Intellectual Freedom. http://www.ala.org/advocacy/privacyconfidentiality/privacy/stateprivacy/.

Forty-eight states and the District of Columbia have library records laws that protect the confidentiality of users’ library records. In the remaining two states [Hawaii and Kentucky], their attorneys general have provided opinions supporting the confidentiality of library records. State library records laws vary as to the type of records protected as well as the circumstances and to whom they may be revealed legally. This website holds the text of each state’s current library record law and the attorneys generals’ opinions.