Privacy in the library
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/ILS-02-2017-0009 |
| Published date | 13 March 2017 |
| Date | 13 March 2017 |
| Pages | 210-212 |
| Author | Bruce Massis |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science,Librarianship/library management,Library & information services |
WHAT’S NEW IN LIBRARIES
Privacy in the library
Bruce Massis
Libraries, Columbus State Community College, Columbus, Ohio, USA
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this column is to offer a snapshot of privacy in the library today.
Design/methodology/approach –Literature review and commentary on this topic that has been
addressed by professionals, researchers and practitioners.
Findings –It is signicant that library users understand the disruptive nature of the online environment
and its impact on privacy. Library users should welcome the controls and protections put in place while
working in an open access environment, so that one does not fall victim to privacy breaches. After all, many
years ago, the American Library Association codied that privacy is a “fundamental human right”.
Originality/value –The value in exploring this topic is to communicate that privacy in a library is of
paramount concern, and constant vigilance is needed to ensure a library user’s right to privacy.
Keywords Libraries, Privacy, Space, Internet, Media, Social
Paper type Viewpoint
Introduction
Today, libraries offer two distinct types of technology-assisted spatial models for study. The
rst is a lab or a room, lined with computers, where users are seated at dedicated workspaces.
As there is often a nite space in libraries, where one can work and study, the space allocation
per user can sometimes be less than optimal, thereby melding one individual’s work space
into that of the person seated directly alongside another. This can be a challenge for those
attempting to work in relative privacy, especially in the dedicated space model of a
hard-wired computer workstation locked down to an immovable tabletop.
The other model is a large room outtted with sensible furniture without workstations but
with access to high-speed wireless. This area offers a library user the opportunity of a much more
comfortable environment in which more space allows users to stretch their boundaries to include
such items as other devices, textbooks and notebooks. Also, the librarians are better able to assist
while spending greater quality time in providing reference and research assistance without a
direct impact on the user occupying the next seat. While privacy may be less of a concern to those
engaged in collaborative study, where users are regularly sharing texts, video and audio either
face-to-face or through social media platforms, librarians are well aware that potential unlawful
activity can always be lurking in the background in an online environment, where social media
and email can provide less of a secure platform to share information and communicate.
Social media and the electronic frontier
The author Lamdan (2015) has written “librarians have an opportunity to promote and help
shape social media policies that protect users’ privacy and assure that users can seek
information without inhibition”. The library’s social media policies have been as much
inuenced by laws, logic and the best intentions regarding access to information as they
Declaration: The author declares that there is no potential conict of interest in the research.
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
www.emeraldinsight.com/2398-5348.htm
ILS
118,3/4
210
Received 24 February 2017
Revised 24 February 2017
Accepted 24 February 2017
Informationand Learning Science
Vol.118 No. 3/4, 2017
pp.210-212
©Emerald Publishing Limited
2398-5348
DOI 10.1108/ILS-02-2017-0009
To continue reading
Request your trial