The School Library and Student Privacy - Is there any?

I had never previously considered the issue of student privacy in regards to their library borrowing and usage. I thought we were only helping! But was it the students or ourselves we were helping? Nor have I read any policies dealing with this in the school situation. We talk to students about their personal privacy and the danger of giving out personal details online, but are librarians abusing their position of authority and invading students’ privacy, albeit  unintentionally?? I would not like to accused of this.

This is what can be done immediately to begin to remedy this while formal policies are put in place:

• ·      Be pro-active and speak to the policy makers about making these suggestions formal.
• ·      Do not leave pages of log in names and passwords where others may see them.
• ·      Distribute library cards for students to keep rather than being kept in the library.
• ·      Issue overdue notices directly to the child and not to class teachers to distribute.
• ·      Decide on a fair criteria for teachers to be able to view student records.
• ·      Develop a set of guidelines for student use.
• ·      Speak to students about what the librarian is doing to protect their privacy and introduce them to the student guidelines.

Well, that’s a start.