Digital Privacy & Technology Guide: Privacy Resources for Library Tech Management

American Library Association's tool kit on privacy addressing issues and threats, potential solutions, and resources.

ALA's Privacy Guidelines are intended to assist libraries and vendors of all types to develop best practices for online privacy, data management, and security.

ALA's Privacy Checklists provide practical steps to implement that can be used to implement ALA's Privacy Guidelines.

Additional set of checklists to help libraries of all capacities take practical steps to implement the principles laid out in ALA's Library Privacy Guidelines.

Practical, hands-on exercises create a more privacy-focused library. These guides are designed for academic, public, and school libraries of all types.

Use Digital Library Freedom's guide to conduct a data risk assessment by identifying data the library collects about users; understanding how it manages that data; identifying the risks associated with that data; and, then developing an appropriate risk mitigation strategy.

The latest update from Duke University Libraries’ Data Privacy and Retention Task Force, including the publication of their final report, Priorities and Guiding Principles for Protecting Patron Privacy.

Looking to develop a privacy policy? Use this privacy policy template by Library Freedom Project to get started.

Internet policy example from Boston Public Library.

University of Washington's policies on information, domestic violence and assault, data security, student code of conduct, and more.

Policy resources from Greenfield Community College

Privacy Clearinghouse provides an overview of considerations for workplace's bring your own device (BYOD) policies or expectations.

Digital Guardian's guide on how to implement Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies.

Download the powerpoint slides to Chuck McAndrew's and Bill Budington's presentation.

These guidelines are intended to provide libraries with information about appropriate data management and security practices with respect to library users' personally identifiable information and data about their use of public access computers and networks.

The checklist provides practical steps to implement ALA's Privacy Guidelines for Public Access Computers.

Great resource for library technology administrators who are responsible for public access computers and equipment.

General information on technology offerings that are possible through libraries, and quick tips on how to get started.

Help protect your computing environment by keeping up to date on Microsoft technical security notifications.

Comprehensive guide on how to secure apps and reduce tracking and data collection.

Computer World's guide on how to limit data collection on Android phones.

Explore different variations of Android OS, and explore each platform's privacy opportunities.

Provides a comprehensive overview of the iOS platform and how to maximize its privacy settings.

From Tech Republic, an overview of iOS 15 and how to use its new app privacy report.

Instructions on how to use iOS and/or Android's built-in privacy protection tools.

Guardian Project creates easy to use secure apps, open-source software libraries, and customized solutions that can be used around the world by any person looking to protect their communications and personal data from unjust intrusion, interception and monitoring.

Windows 10 has built into its operating system a number of tracking mechanisms. Consider using these tips to limit or fully disable tracking.

Article from Computer World that provides advice on how to maximize the privacy tools built into MacOS to stay as private as possible.

Advice on how to limit, or sometimes fully disable, voice assistants built into operating systems.

Lesson plan and resources, aimed at academic librarians, this workshop engages academic librarians and higher education professionals in considering the implications of Dx (digital transformation) for privacy, especially intellectual privacy, in higher education.

Two learning modules designed to strengthen librarian's understanding of what happens to patrons’ data and best practices for patron privacy. Learners will review data flows for common tasks at the library - writing an email, web searching, borrowing eBooks - and learn common influences on data flows - state/federal law, library data privacy policies, and company policies.

Example of benchmarking digital literacy skills

Tracy Z. Maleef demystifies buzzwords and terminology about information security. Gain useful tips to create online safety awareness for your patrons. No technical knowledge is required.

Deeper dive for librarians by Tracy Z. Maleef in this 1-hour webinar.

This tool from The Ford Foundation is designed to measure the maturity, resiliency, and strength of an organization’s cybersecurity efforts.

Information security training and certification. Contains a large collection of research documents about information security and free templates to facilitate planning and policy.

These security resources can help your organization prevent and combat common security threats.

Learn about common types of malware and easy steps to protect against them.

Software for Microsoft Windows, macOS, Chrome OS, Android, and iOS that finds and removes malware.

Learn about phishing and how to spot a bad link before you click.

Were you sent a shortened URL? Check to see if it is safe before you click using this URL expander.

Learn about Ransomware and how to protect against it.

Article that explains ransomware and how attacks are increasing.

Libraries are major targets of ransomware. Learn how to protect your library from ransomware attacks against personal information, and what to do when your library is attacked.

Guidelines on how to maintain privacy and confidentiality of library patrons when integrating RFID technology into library services.

General information about RFID and libraries.