Core Values
Privacy is essential to the exercise of free speech, free thought, and free association. Lack of privacy and confidentiality chills users' choices, thereby suppressing access to ideas. The possibility of surveillance, whether direct or through access to records of speech, research and exploration, undermines a democratic society. - Privacy: An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights
ALA’s core values and its commitment to upholding intellectual freedom and privacy rights guide the association’s work addressing personal privacy in the local, state, and federal legislative and policy arenas. ALA's work in this area is based upon its long standing efforts to protect and defend user privacy. Advancing the work of protecting library users' privacy and confidentiality relies upon grassroots advocacy by the library community to promote library values and principles regarding users' privacy rights.
- ALA Code of Ethics, Article III
- The Library Bill of Rights, Article VII
- Privacy: An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights (2019)
Resolutions and Policies
- Resolution on the Misuse of Behavioral Data Surveillance in Libraries (2021)
- Resolution to Protect Library User Confidentiality in Self-Service Hold Practices (2011)
- Resolution on the Retention of Library Usage Records (2006)
- Policy concerning Confidentiality of Personally Identifiable Information about Library Users (2004)
- Policy on Confidentiality of Library Records (1986)
