Privacy Audit of Public Access Computers and Networks at a Public College Library

Abstract

In 2021, the assessment-data management librarian at Lehman College Library decided to conduct a privacy audit of the Library’s public computers and networks. This audit comprised one of the Library’s two annual formal assessments of resources and services. The American Library Association’s (ALA) Library Privacy Checklist for Public Access Computers and Networks was selected to review 17 key items related to protecting user privacy and confidentiality. Faculty and staff from Circulation, Library Technology, and Online Learning identified 10 indicators needing work. Suggestions are provided for collaboratively resolving these issues and future steps are described to continuously maximize the online security of the campus community.