Library Information

The UWSP Libraries seek to minimize the collection and retention of personally identifiable information and only retain information required for the management of library operations. We have safeguards in place to protect the information we store, including limiting access to designated staff and contractors. The library does require some personally identifiable information for the purpose of performing library work, which may involve sharing with another UW Library if you request a service that involves that library. The library does not share your personally identifiable information with other third parties unless served with a valid subpoena, national security letter, or warrant to do so.

We value the privacy of library users and adhere to the policies and recommendations from the Office of Intellectual Freedom of the American Library Association, particularly those outlined in Intellectual Freedom Principles for Academic Libraries and Privacy: An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights. In addition, this policy conforms to Wisconsin State Statute 43.30 and the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (“FERPA"), which cover the privacy and confidentiality of library patron records and student education records.

Definitions

• Intellectual Freedom: the right to open inquiry without having the subject of your interests examined or scrutinized by others
• Personally Identifiable Information (PII)
  • Direct: identifiers, legal and preferred names, and contact information that uniquely identify individual people
  • Indirect: attributes such as user type, employment department, academic major, academic school or college, academic career level, and home campus that identify a set of individual patrons. In combination with other available information, indirect PII may identify individual people or a small set of people.
  • Behavioral: information about things individual patrons have done such as borrowing a book, entering a building, attending a library function, or consulting with a librarian
• Confidentiality: how a library protects its users' PII
• Explicit Consent: When library users are given an option to agree to the collection of additional information, such as borrowing history

What information do we collect?

The library collects both personally identifiable information (PII) and anonymous information to provide library services to users. The library strives to collect the least amount of PII possible. We avoid creating unnecessary records.

Personally identifiable information collected by the library could include:

• Name​
• Address
• Telephone number
• Email address
• Date of birth
• Library barcode number

Behavioral information that may be associated with PII includes:

• Database search records
• Signup information for library classes and events
• Computer use records
• Electronic reference correspondence
• Items currently checked-out, requested, canceled holds, and interlibrary loans
• Overdue items (until returned)
• Fine history

Anonymized information collected by the library could include:

• URL (uniform resource locator) of the website you visited immediately prior to the library's website
• Domain names and/or IP addresses (numbers automatically assigned to your computer when you are connected to the internet)
• The browser version you are using to access the website
• Hardware and software type and language
• Cookie data
• Date and time of requests
• Demographic data
• Interaction data
• Page views, click data, and navigation flow

Who has access to it?

Library user records are confidential. Only authorized library staff and partners have access to PII for the purpose of performing library work. Library vendors may also have access to your information when you use their systems.

Library materials and borrowing history

The library does not keep a record of your borrowing history beyond operational requirements. For most items, we only retain history until staff determine that the returned items are intact and undamaged. For special collections and archives, the retention period is longer due to the rare and unique nature of these materials. Fees for lost or damaged items will remain on your account until paid.

You have the option to give explicit consent to keep a record of your personal borrowing history in your online account.

Public computers and internet access

Library computers and networks are governed by Regent Policy Document 25-3: Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources.

Library website

 The library website follows the principles outlined in the UWSP Privacy Statement.

HTTPS

The library's website is encrypted with HTTPS. All communications between your browser and the library website are private.

Cookies

Some library applications use “cookies," small files created by a website and saved on your computer. Cookies are used to remember information about preferences and customization on the pages you visit. You can refuse to accept cookies, disable cookies, and remove cookies from your hard drive by following the instructions provided by your browser. Some third-party services may not work if cookies are disabled.

Data & network security

The library operates secure data networks protected by industry standard firewalls and password protection systems. Only authorized individuals have access to the information provided by our users. The library monitors network activity to identify potential usage agreement violations.

Non-library websites

We may link to non-library websites that may not follow the same privacy policies. We advise visitors to such sites to check the privacy statements of such sites and to be cautious about providing PII without a clear understanding of how the information will be used.

Third-party vendors

Note: Many online services offered by the library are serviced by third-party vendors. These vendors have their own privacy policies and terms of service, and they are not beholden to the library's privacy policies or terms or service.

The library works with third-party vendors to provide online learning, digital collections, streaming media content, analytics, and more. These third-party vendors include providers like Ex Libris, EBSCO, Gale, ProQuest, and others. Your interaction with these systems is governed by their individual policies. Some of these vendors may collect and share information you provide to them or require you to create a personal account to use their services. Check the vendor's privacy statement and terms of service to learn more about how your data is tracked, stored, and used by them.

Approved on March 28, 2024​
 

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