Anonymity of library users in The Netherlands and Croatia

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to document a joint research project aimed at investigating the existing library practices regarding protection of personal data, in view of computerization of libraries and its consequences, and awareness of the privacy (anonymity) of the library users that was carried out simultaneously in The Netherlands and Croatia in the autumn of 2007.Design/methodology/approachThe research was a continuation of an ongoing cooperation between The Netherlands Public Library Association and the Department of Information Sciences, University of Zagreb. A questionnaire was developed based on previously conducted interviews with librarians and survey of recent literature on anonymity. It was carried out online via a special link on the web site of The Netherlands Public Library Association and sent by e‐mail to selected libraries in Croatia.FindingsReplies obtained from 65 Dutch and 33 Croatian libraries of all types have been compared and commented in the paper. The research shows that despite existing differences in library facilities librarians in both countries have not yet become fully aware of all aspects of privacy issues that new services provided by the new technology have brought about, nor received adequate training or taken appropriate measures.Research limitations/implicationsFurther research on library practices regarding data protection and measures and steps to be taken by libraries in order to improve the present inadequacies can be envisaged in future.Originality/valueThe paper provides information on data security issues in Dutch and Croatian libraries.