Libraries have a complicated relationship with data. We believe that
patrons must have privacy while using library services and resources, but
the systems we use collect patron data that is highly sought after for
analytics, marketing, and assessment needs for internal and external
audiences. Libraries are then left to figure out how to meet data
analytical and assessment needs of the organization without betraying
patron trust in the library to protect their privacy. This talk, based on a
case study at a large library system, will discuss many of the issues in
balancing the need for analytical data while upholding patron privacy and
library ethics, including: - De-identification of patron data, including
strategies and the risks involved with several de-identification methods -
Technical processes and structures for building and maintaining a data
warehouse - Data and privacy policies and governance at the organizational
level - Auditing what data is being collected by the library, from system
logs to paper forms The talk will address how these issues impact libraries
with both limited and extensive resources in their efforts to balance data
analytical needs and patron privacy.