Privacy in Virtual Libraries

Found via Librarian.net

Here is a working paper (based on a conference presentation) on privacy in virtual librarianship, called "Is Privacy Working? Planning For Stronger Privacy Measures Than Security Through Obscurity In Library Virtual Reference Services " by Mary Minow and Paul Neuhaus.

The paper discusses how virtual librarianship changes privacy concerns because of technology - a "conversation" with the librarian, once verbal and therefor ephemeral, is now recorded and written by virtue of the medium. This raises interesting questions: how does effect traditional user confidentiality?

The technology used by the library to allow access (IP restrictions, logins) to resources (electronic journals, databases) makes the user more traceable than the traditional methods. In the past, the patron could enter the library, look up information in a card catalog and access that information without ever providing proof of identity, until the patron desired to check out the book. Though virtual reference opens the library's resources for long range use, it does (contrary to most interaction on the internet!) take away their anonymity.