The Ultimate Privacy Field Guide: A Workbook of Best Practices

Together with ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom, Berman (Learning Group Division director, Alameda Cty. Lib.) and Tijerina (Protecting Patron Privacy: A LITA Guide) have gathered ALA’s freely available “Privacy Field Guides” into one compact volume. The goal of this book is to provide readers with tools to make their libraries more secure and private for patrons. The editors provide a clearly described overview of privacy, offering ways that both library decision makers and staff can advocate for increased protections. They explore several privacy topics: basics of digital security, strategies to talk about privacy to others, privacy issues outside of technology, patron data, conducting privacy audits, writing privacy policies, and addressing privacy with vendors. The guide provides clarity on complex topics such as contracts, and licensing and vendor negotiations, while offering sample language and red flags for readers to note while engaging on their own. The information in each section is divided into clear headings, allowing readers to locate relevant information quickly. Additionally, most sections contain exercises for readers to practice their knowledge.