[Web4lib] Library Elf reveals user info

[Edward Vielmetti]

Andrew,

The particular law you cite below has a section 3 that says
that the library can determine what "written consent" is, and
I'd argue if I had to argue that that consent could be provided
in electronic format.

I'm all for libraries not releasing patron info unless the
patron explicitly wants it released.  What pains me is when
the efforts at patron privacy completely torpedo efforts
at sharing and collaborative efforts within the library
system.  I want to (and have) shared my lists of holds and
checkouts with others, and if given proper permissions
and a non-geeky setup I'm sure many other people would want to do the
same.  Otherwise as patrons we'll turn to Library Elf
and Amazon etc etc and bypass all the local services.

Ed

On 12/28/05, Andrew Mutch <amutch at waterford.lib.mi.us> wrote:
> "I'm no lawyer, but can you really accuse ELF of violating privacy
> protection laws when the patron voluntarily handed over their barcode and
> PIN?"
>
> No but it could be argued that the library is liable for violating privacy
> protection laws by allowing the patron record to be disseminated to a
> third-party, even with the patron's authorization. In Michigan, a library
> can only release patron information with the written consent of the
> patron. Since it's likely that no such written consent exists between the
> library and patron to share that information via ELF, there could be a
> legal question raised as to whether the library is authorized to allow ELF
> to access that information (also recognizing that the same argument could
> be made about patrons accessing their records remotely as most of our
> systems currently allow).
>
> http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(s5husf2uyqwfyh23unxnchbc)/mileg.aspx?page=GetMCLDocument&objectname=mcl-397-603
>
> Andrew Mutch
> Library Systems Technician
> Waterford Township Public Library
> Waterford, MI
>
>
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--
Edward Vielmetti in Ann Arbor, MI 48104
+1 734 276 5910

edward.vielmetti at gmail.com
http://www.vacuumgroup.com