Personal Information in a Social World: Balancing Patron Privacy with Personalized Services

Abstract

Jennifer Kuntz, LMS Field Specialist, Public Services, Florida Center for Library Automation.

As library system managers, we have an obligation to ensure the security and privacy of patron data. Yet, our patrons increasingly expect personalized services, a la Amazon recommendations, del.icio.us tags, etc. This session will identify some of the many places library patron data is stored, transferred, and accessed. What is the library's role in protecting patron data, in various places? When do we assume implicit agreement to use patron data, and when do we need to seek explicit consent? How do we reduce exposure while maximizing services? These and other questions of interest to the audience will be discussed.