By the IFC Privacy Subcommittee

Data Privacy Day is on January 28. It’s a great reminder (or nudge) to spruce up your library privacy practices. We’ve got the perfect tools to get you started (and with minimal effort), too. We’ll be sharing 7 privacy field guides in 7 days.

What are the Privacy Field Guides?

The Institute of Museum and Library Services, in partnership with the American Library Association, sponsored the creation of the Privacy Field Guides. They contain practical, hands-on exercises for you to create a more privacy-focused library. They are designed for academic, public, and school libraries of all types. Any library worker can benefit from using the guides, and we know you will find at least one action you personally can take to improve library privacy.

There are currently 7 guides available for free via printable PDF or an interactive website. You can also buy the book version. We’ll be highlighting one per day with you. We’ll go over the following:

• Where can you find it?
• Who’s it for?
• What’s covered?
• Why should you check it out?

Day 2 – How to Talk About Privacy

Where can you find it?

The printable PDF is available in the privacy section of the ALA website. It’s also available on the interactive website.

Who’s it for?

Do you need to talk about library privacy to someone? Trying to get buy-in or just explain why privacy is important to libraries? This is the guide for you.

Finding ways to communicate the importance of privacy and why libraries should care is a critical way to make needed changes. This leads to safer environments for library users, library staff, and our communities.

This guide is meant to help you consider the best way to communicate about privacy by thinking about the people you are trying to reach. It will also provide you with suggestions on the best messaging to use with various constituencies and stakeholders.

What’s covered?

• Understanding your audience
• Talking points and arguments
• Example scenarios to help test your privacy advocacy skills

Why should you check it out?

The exercises help you take immediate action. Have a small window of opportunity to advocate for privacy? We recommend you use the tips in  “Getting Your Point Across” to craft a memorable and impactful elevator speech.

What’s next?

On Day 3, we’ll share details about the “Non-Tech Privacy” field guide.

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The Intellectual Freedom Committee‘s Privacy Subcommittee monitors ongoing privacy developments in technology (in cooperation with the Library Information Technology Association (LITA)), politics and legislation (in cooperation with the Committee on Legislation (COL)), as well as social and cultural trends that impact individual privacy and confidentiality, both in libraries and the wider world.   It is charged with identifying privacy needs and resources for librarians and library users; proposing action on resolutions, policies, and guidelines addressing privacy, confidentiality, and data security; developing educational, informational, and promotional projects addressing privacy, confidentiality, and data security issues; and collaborating with other member groups and organizations within and without ALA on matters within its charge.