Privacy statement

The University of Arizona Libraries values and respects the privacy of library users in all of their interactions with the Libraries.

We endorse the American Library Association's Library Bill of Rights which stresses that all people possess a right to privacy and confidentiality in their library use. We understand the importance of protecting your privacy and the confidentiality of data generated through your library use including through browsing our websites, borrowing or accessing our materials, consulting with library staff, or using our spaces. We strive to limit the amount of time we keep your data as much as possible and to use it in a de-identified and aggregated manner to inform development and improvement of our services.

The Libraries follow the University of Arizona Electronic Privacy Policy which outlines what data may be gathered when you use online resources at the UA and what use may be made of it.

Computer privacy

In order to collect usage statistics, the UA Libraries use a cookie to collect anonymous website traffic data. We do not use this cookie to collect any personally identifiable information.

The library also uses Envisionware's PC Reservation software. This software does not monitor your activities; its purpose is to authenticate initial access and regulate sessions.

Data on who used which computer, including expired reservations, will be removed automatically each day.

At the end of every session, each computer will automatically reboot. All information and files left on the computer will be deleted except for files saved in the T:\ Drive, which are only cleared periodically.

Personally identifiable information

Systematic or programmatic copying or downloading from subscribed databases is not allowed by our contracts with vendors. If we permit this, access to the database may be blocked. We may log user's personally identifiable information in order to monitor this type of abuse.

Safeguards for library records

To safeguard your privacy and the confidentiality of your library records, we delete your usage history every two years. In addition, analysis conducted for continuous improvement uses data that has been aggregated and anonymized.

However, you have the option of creating lists of Saved Records or Saved Searches inside your library account. Some people have asked for this service as a means of organizing resources for study or research.

If you choose this option, be aware that anyone with access to your library card number can check your saved lists or any other information attached to your account. Information contained in these lists is, as is any part of your library record, subject to any judicial process (e.g., the USA Patriot Act). If you are concerned about someone else seeing a list of what you are reading or searching for, the safest step is to not choose this option.

Patriot Act

The USA Patriot Act of 2002  allows the FBI to obtain a search warrant for any materials from the library, including library circulation records, internet use records, and registration information. They can do so without demonstrating "probable cause," the existence of specific facts to support the belief that a crime has been committed or that the items sought are evidence of a crime. The act also makes it a crime for the library to inform you if any such action has occurred.

This act supersedes existing state laws protecting the privacy of library users. The reauthorized Patriot Act (signed into law by President Bush on March 9, 2006) makes some procedural changes in the process of obtaining library records, but doesn't provide any substantial safeguards for the privacy of library users. Learn more about the USA Patriot Act and intellectual freedom.