The American Library Association’s Intellectual Freedom Committee’s (IFC) Privacy Subcommittee is seeking its first cohort of regular bloggers for the Voices of Privacy Blog. We are aiming to create a robust resource where library workers can learn more about privacy-related topics and hear about the amazing work happening at libraries across the country. If you have a passion for privacy and a love for writing, we have a home for you!

Requirements

• Each writer must commit to one year as a volunteer blogger.
• Bloggers should be curious about exploring a range of privacy topics and have some writing experience.
• Bloggers must be ALA members and agree to the Voices of Privacy Blog Policy & Purpose. Writers who are not ALA members will be invited to submit guest posts once the core team is established.

Responsibilities

Bloggers are responsible for writing and submitting approximately 12 posts over the course of a year, to be reviewed by Office of Intellectual Freedom (OIF) staff. Posts can be creative or fresh perspectives on privacy issues in and out of libraries, a summary of a news items, a story about real-world privacy projects at libraries of all types, or a profile of privacy advocates in the community. Priority is given to timely, current, and relevant content. Posts should be engaging and inform library workers.

Bloggers are responsible for submitting content on time and working with deadlines. Although there is flexibility in the publishing schedule, if bloggers miss three deadlines, they may lose their spot on the team.

After receiving feedback from OIF staff, bloggers are responsible for making any edits or responding to questions before the post is published.

Content Ideas

Biometrics technologies, surveillance, customer relations management (CRM), analytics, workplace monitoring, data profiling, wiretapping and electronic communications, minor privacy, student privacy, digital right management, RFID, privacy laws, behavioral targeting, cloud computing, data anonymization, big data, internet of things, learning analytics, library vendors, contracts/RFP, privacy policies, Tor, privacy training, low-tech privacy, integrated library systems (ILS) — and how all of these things connect to libraries.

How to Join the Team

Interested parties should submit an original sample blog post by June 1st, 2020. We’ll be in touch by the middle of June. Send questions to Erin Berman, Chair of the Privacy Subcommittee at erinberman@aclibrary.org