ASD's Scholar Support Desk Handbook

"Libraries, librarians, and library workers have an ethical obligation, expressed above in the ALA Code of Ethics, to preserve users' right to privacy and prevent any unauthorized use or disclosure of users' personally identifiable information or the data associated with their use of the library's resources. Article VII of the Library Bill of Rights counsels that libraries should "advocate for, educate about, and protect people’s privacy, safeguarding all library use data, including personally identifiable information." This requires libraries and all those who work in libraries to maintain an environment that is respectful and protective of the library user's privacy. This includes the adoption of policies and practices that treat patron data as confidential." Additionally, library records are protected under state law. Florida Statute 257.261 governs library registration and circulation records and requires that these records be kept confidential. 

"Privacy," American Library Association, June 13, 2008. http://www.ala.org/advocacy/privacy. 

ALA Code of Ethics

The American Library Association's Professional Ethics committee codified the following Code of Ethics to guide the profession and those who work in libraries. As libraries commit to intellectual freedom, privacy, promoting information literacy, and values of diversity and inclusion, these principles are required to guide our everyday work. 

1. We provide the highest level of service to all library users through appropriate and usefully organized resources; equitable service policies; equitable access; and accurate, unbiased, and courteous responses to all requests.
2. We uphold the principles of intellectual freedom and resist all efforts to censor library resources.
3. We protect each library user's right to privacy and confidentiality with respect to information sought or received and resources consulted, borrowed, acquired or transmitted.
4. We respect intellectual property rights and advocate balance between the interests of information users and rights holders.
5. We treat co-workers and other colleagues with respect, fairness, and good faith, and advocate conditions of employment that safeguard the rights and welfare of all employees of our institutions.
6. We do not advance private interests at the expense of library users, colleagues, or our employing institutions.
7. We distinguish between our personal convictions and professional duties and do not allow our personal beliefs to interfere with fair representation of the aims of our institutions or the provision of access to their information resources.
8. We strive for excellence in the profession by maintaining and enhancing our own knowledge and skills, by encouraging the professional development of co-workers, and by fostering the aspirations of potential members of the profession.
9. We affirm the inherent dignity and rights of every person. We work to recognize and dismantle systemic and individual biases; to confront inequity and oppression; to enhance diversity and inclusion; and to advance racial and social justice in our libraries, communities, profession, and associations through awareness, advocacy, education, collaboration, services, and allocation of resources and spaces.

"Professional Ethics," American Library Association, May 19, 2017. http://www.ala.org/tools/ethics. 

Library Bill of Rights

The American Library Association affirms that all libraries are forums for information and ideas, and that the following basic policies should guide their services.

I. Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.

II. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.

III. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.

IV. Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas.

V. A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.

VI. Libraries which make exhibit spaces and meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use.

VII. All people, regardless of origin, age, background, or views, possess a right to privacy and confidentiality in their library use. Libraries should advocate for, educate about, and protect people’s privacy, safeguarding all library use data, including personally identifiable information.

"Library Bill of Rights," American Library Association, June 30, 2006. http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill. 

Here are some examples regarding privacy in our daily work on the desk: 

• You CAN look someone up by their FSUID if they have a temporary card and a photo ID; you CANNOT for a parent 
• You CAN use a proxy to check out materials by checking the proxy check box; you CANNOT look up a user's information for somebody else or for your personal use 
• You CAN look up what is on loan for a scholar under their personal account (including over the phone); you CANNOT share what is on loan to anyone besides that scholar.