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Privacy Statement: User Information Collected and Your Privacy

This page includes information about how the library collects and uses information from users and patrons. The library has a separate privacy statement from the college. The library's privacy statement is influenced by the American Library Association and

American Library Association & Privacy

The Ray Howard Library is committed to protecting the privacy of our users. Our policies conform to the Code of Ethics of the American Library Association, which provides this summation of the library community's commitment to privacy: "We protect each library user's right to privacy and confidentiality with respect to information sought or received and resources consulted, borrowed, acquired or transmitted." Your rights to privacy and what you have checked out with your library card are protected. 

 

Tracking Cookies, Analytics, and Other Unique Identifiers

Ray W. Howard Library at Shoreline Community College collects information through Google Analytics, which may include personal data, from your browser when you use the library website. We use a variety of methods, such as cookies and pixel tags to collect this information, which may include your (i) IP-address; (ii) unique cookie identifier, cookie information and information on whether your device has software to access certain features; (iii) unique device identifier and device type; (iv) domain, browser type and language, (v) operating system and system settings; (vi) country and time zone; (vii) information about your interaction with our website such as click behavior and indicated preferences; and (viii) access times and referring URLs.

 

The Use of Zoom and Your Privacy

We use Zoom for video reference and when you accept a video chat with us, you also accept the Zoom privacy policy. Zoom states in their policy that they use facial and image recognition software and that they collect data to provide a better user experience. Zoom recommends that you be aware of your browser's cookie sharing when accessing their software as they use cookies to identify your interests and then provide advertisements relevant to you. When you use this software with us you are also agreeing to share your screen, your face, and the files you choose to share on your computer with the person you are video conferencing with. 

Academic Databases and Your Privacy

Our site and many of the databases we subscribe to and associated web apps use cookies and pixel tags to track our users’ interaction with our website and to understand their preferences (such as country and language choices). This enables us to provide services to our users and improve their online experience. We also use cookies and pixel tags to obtain aggregate data about site traffic and site interaction, to identify trends and obtain statistics so that we can improve our website.

What is a Cookie?

Cookies are small text files that are stored on browsers or devices by websites, apps, online media, and in your account. Cookies and similar technologies are used for purposes such as:

  • Authenticating users Remembering user preferences and settings
  • Determining the popularity of content
  • Delivering and measuring the effectiveness of advertising campaigns
  • Analyzing site traffic and trends, and generally understanding the online behaviors and interests of people who interact with our services.

How Do I Protect My Privacy?

You can disable cookies in your browser. Each browser is a little different, so look at your browser’s Help menu to learn the correct way to modify your cookies. You can also choose to have your computer warn you each time a cookie is being sent, or you can choose to turn off all cookies. If you turn cookies off, you may not be able to use aspects of the library website. For a comprehensive and up-to-date summary of every third-party accessing your web browser through Ray W. Howard Library at Shoreline Community College Sites we recommend installing a web browser plugin built for this purpose.

Privacy Statement
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