Why Internet & Information Privacy Policy Is Necessary

Abstract

In today’s digital, data, and social media age, internet and information policies are necessary for any organization. In academic libraries, the community served is diverse and thriving. Librarians and library staff are asked about research needs, research consultation, book recommendations, and technology issues. In regards to technology, two major topics arise: Information and Internet. Any thriving library needs to have an information privacy policy and an internet privacy policy. While looking at the American Library Association’s (ALA) Library Bill of Rights and policies set-up by the Federal Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), there is much documentation on a patron’s right to privacy. It is crucial for any academic library to have these policies created and published. The focus of this article will be on the Rebecca Crown Library at Dominican University. They do not have a publicized information privacy policy. However, a different department at Dominican University has a publicized privacy policy. Dominican University has a list of 12 peer institutions, many of which have publicized privacy plans. Only four those peer institutions have a library privacy policy plan, which is separate from the university. The results will help Rebecca Crown Library establish their Internet and Information Privacy Plan.