Libraries get it [LWN.net]

Libraries get it

Posted Jul 10, 2008 3:27 UTC (Thu) by denials (subscriber, #3413)
Parent article: Notes on the Viacom ruling

It's worth noting that most public and academic libraries go to great pains to try to obscure
any data that could link users to the items that they have borrowed or videos they have
watched or games they have played or sites they have visited on public workstations [1]. Even
though this means that we end up throwing away some data on which we could build useful
services - like recommendations ("You liked book X and video Y - you should check out this
podcast") - the protection of our users' privacy tends to trump new features. [2]

As a result, libraries might not be seen as sexy as, or gain as many new users as,
organizations willing to compile massive amounts of personal data, but then, we're in this for
the long haul.

1. http://www.ala.org/ala/lita/litaresources/taskforceonpriv...
2. http://www.dlib.org/dlib/december06/whitney/12whitney.html

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Libraries get it

Posted Jul 10, 2008 5:47 UTC (Thu) by boudewijn (subscriber, #14185) [Link]

Not in the Netherlands, unfortunately, where the local library gleefully 
keeps track of everything I've ever made use of, to give better customer 
service, but also to be able to oblige the police in their 
investigations. We handed in our cards and have started to buy more and 
more books second-hand instead.

Libraries get it

Posted Jul 10, 2008 13:49 UTC (Thu) by davecb (subscriber, #1574) [Link]

  They're not using the Geac library system, then, as it
only keeps book/patron linkages until the book
is returned and fines paid. And yes, Geac is
very active in the Netherlands, despite the
local pronunciation of its nme.

--dave