Data Privacy and Academic Libraries: Non-PII, PII, and Librarians’ Reflections (Part 2)

Abstract

Using personally identifiable information (PII) (patron data) to make informed decisions in academic libraries through learning analytics programs has increasingly become more commonplace. In this column, we discuss how libraries around the world have used PII to make informed decisions about hours (gate count), electronic resources (collection usage and authentication), and research assistance (virtual reference). In addition, we discuss the use of learning analytics in library environments including the benefits and concerns associated with its use. Finally, we discuss how we have used PII at our institution’s library and the data metrics we plan utilize at some point in the future.

Keywords:

• academic library
• personally identifiable information (PII)
• informed decision-making
• library assessment
• patron privacy
• non-personally identifiable information
• student retention
• learning analytics
• swipe-card data
• best practices
• data analysis
• data handling
• data collection
• informed-decision making
• gate count