| Abstract: | Academic libraries have long been seen as trustworthy stewards of user information, but in an increasingly dispersed digital environment, it has become challenging for libraries to provide completely safe online experiences. This essay, written from the perspective of a systems librarian at Boston College, suggests that academic libraries need to re-invent their privacy practices to better align with today's online reality. A collaborative, holistic approach is proposed: embedding privacy into how libraries collect, how they implement online access, how they teach, and how they advocate for privacy on their campuses. By taking a comprehensive look at privacy concerns across the library and the campus, and by developing practices grounded in the ethical underpinning of our profession, academic librarians can begin to earn back the trust of our users. |
