“Promoting Library Services in an Age of Data Insecurity” by Joshua Becker

Image by Ryunosuke Kikuno on Unsplash

This article argues that although libraries embrace patron privacy, librarians fall short of promoting core values.

“When was the last time you heard of a data breach in a library? It’s exceedingly rare, and recent examples are nearly always attributed to employees inadvertently opening spam. Over 171 million Americans have library cards.1 A 2016 Pew Survey mentioned that 48% of Americans visited a library in the last year.2 If nearly as many Americans use libraries as engage in online commerce, why is patron data so secure (p. 8)?”
“Libraries don’t track individual patrons or try to personalize or filter out the digital search experience. Libraries offer searching in the purest form. Patron data is confidential and safe. This stands in stark contrast to commercial online sites (p.9) .”
Libraries need to create and promote data security and patron confidentiality statements to demonstrate their expertise, especially given the uncertainty from living in a pandemic (p.9).

Questions for Librarians

What measures can or has been done your library taken to promote data security and patron confidentiality?
What are some ways to encourage patron privacy when it comes to creating passwords and other personal information?

Becker, Joshua. “Promoting Library Services in an Age of Data Insecurity.” The

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