Skip to Main Content
UVM Libraries Research Guides banner

Why Patron Privacy Matters -- and How You Can Protect It

This guide accompanies a presentation given by Trina Magi, Library Professor at University of Vermont, for the Central Kansas Library System, June 15, 2023.

Educate library workers, trustees, and administrators

  • Discuss your privacy policy and procedures during orientation programs for new employees, volunteers, trustees, and board members.
  • Brief your principal or administrator on the library's ethical and legal obligations regarding privacy.
  • Prominently post your privacy policy at all public service points.
  • Include privacy and other intellectual freedom topics in your professional development programming. An easy way to do this is to ask staff and volunteers to read and discuss chapters on "Privacy" and "Requests from Law Enforcement" in the ALA Intellectual Freedom Manual. The chapters cover key concepts, information about legal and ethical obligations, ALA statements on best practices, and questions for reflection. [Garnar, M. & Magi, T. (Eds.). (2021). Intellectual freedom manual, 10th ed., ALA Editions.]

Educate library users

Tell your library users about your commitment to protecting their privacy. Consider the following options:

  • Post your privacy policy, the ALA Code of Ethics, and the Library Bill of Rights on the library website and at the reference and/or circulation desks.
  • Provide new users with a copy of your privacy policy when they receive library cards.
  • Hold a public lecture on the importance of privacy to intellectual freedom and democracy.
  • Create and distribute a brochure or handout on why privacy is important. See below for a sample from the University of Vermont Libraries. This document can be useful in responding to people who have questions about your policy.