Library Privacy Policy

Introduction

One of the cornerstones of librarianship is respect for the privacy of library users. The Boreham Library recognizes the importance of protecting your privacy and the confidentiality of the information that you share with the Library when you use Library web sites or other Library services. Described below is the Library policy on the collection, use, disclosure, maintenance and protection of personal information that you provide.

Please note that the following campus policies take overall precedence for and otherwise affect privacy and collection of information:

• campus web policy overview


• campus web privacy policy what is collected & why


• campus email privacy policy


• Electronic Usage Policy


• Web Site Usage Policy

What information is collected and how it is used

When you use this or related websites, the Library web server may collect certain technical information from your web browser, including your browser type, operating system type, internet address, and the web address of the page from which you linked to these sites. This is done only to facilitate and improve the Library's online services to you and does not identify you personally by name.

In some cases the Library web server may use browser "cookies" or other technologies to maintain session and preference information or to provide other complex functionality. You may adjust your Internet browser to disable the use of cookies and other web technologies; however, some features of this website may not function properly if you block these technologies.

Any information that the Library automatically collects via this web site is only used internally for technical troubleshooting, to improve the usability of the website, and to track aggregate statistical trends. Except for information that you choose to submit (through web forms, e-mail messages, chat sessions, or other communication), the Library does not collect any personally identifiable information (such as your name, address, phone number, age, gender, ID numbers, etc.) on these websites. If you do choose to submit personally identifiable information to the Library, that information is used only for the purpose for which you submitted it, and will not be used for other purposes. It will not be sold, distributed, or donated without your permission except as required by law. Information from other sources is not combined with the information that is collected. While the Library or the University may disclose information about use of these web sites in aggregate (such as server use statistics), nothing will be disclosed to third parties that could be used to identify individuals or their use of Library resources, except as required by law or appropriate law enforcement procedures.

To gather web traffic information the Library may use Google Analytics or comparable services, which may place a cookie on each visitor's machine for each session. For privacy reasons the statistics gathered by Google Analytics or any comparable services do not include individual IP addresses or other individually identifiable information. Individual visitor access is represented by the name of the individual's Internet service provider (ISP). Statistical information is stored on Google servers for two years and the Library uses this information for comparative purposes.

The Boreham Library does maintain certain personally identifiable information for library accounts of valid library users, using specific security precautions. If you are affiliated with the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith, the Library should automatically receive personally identifiable information to create and update your library account from the campus system. If you use reciprocal borrowing privileges from other participating libraries, the Library must obtain certain information about you in order to provide you with a library account and services. The Library will maintain confidentiality of information sought or received, and materials consulted, borrowed or acquired, including database search records, reference interviews, circulation records, interlibrary loan records, and other personally identifiable uses of library materials, facilities, or services. The Library maintains several web-based management tools, such as forms related to renewing books, asking reference questions, saving search histories or resource preferences, requesting materials, etc. The personally identifiable information collected through these tools and stored in the library's computer systems will only be used to maintain your library account and provide services to you and is not made available to any other entity outside the Library except as required by law or appropriate law enforcement procedures.

In the event of overdue materials, materials requested through the Library, and similar situations requiring notification of Library users, Library staff will simply state that materials are overdue, available, etc., when leaving messages with any third party, in order to maintain confidentiality.

Services provided by third parties

This website contains some links to websites, software and licensed databases that are not maintained or supported by the Boreham Library or the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith. In some cases library services may be provided via third party tools (chat or search widgets, for example). While you may reach these services via library web sites, the Library is not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of these third parties, and we encourage users of these services to familiarize themselves with their policies before using them.

Access to information we have about you

Any person is entitled to view their library account information in person or online, using proper authentication. Campus account information for students must be corrected through the Registrar's Office and library account information for University employees must be corrected through Human Resources for permanent changes. Changes made directly in Library accounts are not entered in the campus system. Only patrons with proper identification who have current borrowing privileges may correct their library account information through the Library.

Circulation records include all information that identifies a faculty or staff member, student, alumnus, or special borrower as borrowing or accessing particular materials or information. Included in these records are Web browsing histories and reserve materials. Such materials are considered confidential.

No library employee shall reveal the identity of a borrower to any requestor without approval of the Library Director or designated administrative officer(s) of the University, following the implementation of the proper procedural steps.

Except in accordance with proper judicial order and with permission of the Library Directory or designated administrative officer(s) of the University, no person shall make known in any manner any information contained in such records listed above. In the absence of such judicial orders or University administrative permission, those to whom information will be denied include, but are not limited to, faculty, staff (including library staff except in the pursuit of their assigned duties), parents, students, campus security, police, FBI agents, and military personnel.

Library staff are to refer all requests for the above information to the Library Director or the designated administrative officer(s) of the University. Those offices will contact the appropriate University offices.

Security

Transmissions made on the Internet are generally not secure, since the information is transferred in clear text. Only authorized Library staff with assigned passwords may access personally identifiable information stored in the Library's computer systems, and then only for the purpose of performing library work. The Library uses industry-standard security measures to protect any personal information that you may provide to the Library. However, the Library cannot guarantee that your submissions to the Library's website, any content residing on Library servers, or any transmissions from the Library servers will be completely secure. All precautions considered legally reasonable for the Library should be taken with your information.

Contact

If you have questions about this policy or feel that anyone at the Library has acted in violation of this policy, please contact the Library.

References

The Boreham Library also adheres to the University's privacy and other computer policies. See the list at the head of this page.

This policy was developed using the American Library Association guidelines, the Confidentiality of Personally Identifiable Information about Library Users as amended 2004, by the American Library Association Council, the Duke University Libraries privacy policy, and the Vanderbilt University policy.