That was a really enjoyable article. Fascinating to see what they read and how much the author's read. I don't know whether I can claim 500 books let alone 2000+.

No one will be able to see what people are checking out now. Public libraries delete records of who checks out books as soon as they are returned so that people's reading records cannot be subject to subpoena.

Rosefolly

I read somewhere this morning that a bill was passed that will permit Netflix to publish on people's Facebook pages lists of movies they have rented. To me that is just outrageous. I've always had a thing about privacy and for information like this to be published without permission is unbelievable. Maybe I misunderstood what I read. I hope so. While I can't imagine libraries publishing such information I'm rather happy they aren't keeping it anymore.

This is from someone who has rented mostly old classic movies and reads nothing objectionable and doesn't even have a Facebook page because I'm a computer person and understand potential implications of having a Facebook page.

rosefolly-
Not completely. Our library offers the ability to keep a running log of checked-out books linked to card numbers, accessible by the patron. The patron must opt in. I imagine that the database could be accessed by the library as well.

Frances md-

Doesn't Netflix have to ask permission before publicly (on Internet) exposing a particular person's film choices? Seems a huge infringement of one's privacy. Soon I am planning on using Netflix to rent films ... your message is disturbing ... am wondering if I should drop this idea.

When I was going into my g-mail account yesterday a sign popped up asking for my private telephone #. I skipped over that. The sign explained that there would be better service -- in some way can't remember now -- by giving google your tel. #.

Also - my bank keeps putting flyers into my monthly statement asking me to allow the bank to put my monthly statement into my e-mail -- "to save paper -- it's good for the environment!" Hah!! ... Good for the bank's stationery and postage costs, more like! I throw these flyers out -- into the re-cyclable paper trash - good for the environment! (ha-ha!). Just a few months ago someone used my bank card # at a store in ... Sri Lanka! The bank investigated -- put all money back into my account. If it's so easy to steal my account number *w/out* it being on computer, just think how easy it would be to steal it when it's *also* on-line! That's just giving thieves another access route into my bank account.

Because the little blurb I read did not mention consent, I went searching for more information on the bill I mentioned concerning Netflix and Facebook. This article does say that the consumer will give a one-time consent for their rental list to be published. They make it sound like a good thing, passing a bill to override a law that prohibited such actions.

Here is a link that might be useful: Netflix/Facebook Bill

Not only do many libraries now allow patrons to keep a running list of material checked on one's card (the library for which I work allows a list of 100) as cc mentioned, the list is subject to subpoena as well as being accessible to library staff. Now think about checking out library books onto your Amazon-supported Kindle and compare a library's relatively unsophisticated tracking of your habits as compared to the internet retail giant's practices. I posted a link to a librarian's video rant if anyone wants to hear more. :)

I think a very salient comment made is that many of us are already used to our on-line viewing and purchases being tracked and the library/Amazon link is just one more brick in the wall--and who really cares? I know that anyone tracking me has to be really really bored and thinking "why does she look at the Zappo's site so often?" but on the other hand, am I the frog in a pot of water eventually being boiled to death?

Here is a link that might be useful: librarianinblack re: ebooks and privacy

This is a change then, or perhaps it is regional. I went to library school here on the west coast, and in my area, most libraries are vigilant about protecting patron privacy. For that reason they do not keep records that could be subject to subpoena. I had erroneously assumed that this was now a universal practice.

Rosefolly, it was only when our (very large) library system received a new computer program a year or two ago that suddenly patrons could keep a list of what had been checked out on their card. Up to that point, our policy was as you described. I doubt it is regional since this software package is being used by libraries around the country. As cc points out, the patron has to "opt in" to maintain the list. I can't remember if a warning is displayed regarding the privacy of the list which for our library is up to 100 books for up to one year. My guess is that as the use of computers and electronic resources increase, privacy policies will continue to evolve... and see my previous frog in the water comment.