Date: July 11
Time: 9am-12pm
Hours: 3
Total Hours: 114
Today, I staffed the reference desk. Sharon and I compared notes on the previous day’s online privacy training at Mentor Public Library. She attended an earlier session specifically for library staff while I attended the public session. The staff session discussed some similar topics, but focused on how libraries can help protect patrons’ online privacy as well as a more philosophical discussion on the benefits of online privacy. As with the public training, the presenter may have overestimated the ability and knowledge of her audience. I was able to clarify several confusing points for Sharon and shared my own notes (see July 10) with her.
Privacy is an important topic in libraries. We intentionally do not keep patron borrowing records, cover the titles of holds, and more. Online privacy is a logical extension of these practices. Alison Macrina’s presentations included many aspects that we can implement and teach patrons, but many other require patrons to have their own computer, mobile device, and home Internet access. As I have discussed many times in this log, this simply is not the case for many of our patrons. Password managers are great – but they work best on a personal computer, not a public one. Two-factor authentication is great, unless you don’t have a cellphone that can receive texts.