Abstract
Information privacy and data protection practices in Irish libraries are influenced by legal
obligations, ethical and professional commitments, and organisational policies. Practice sits
at the intersection of all these and is further affected by individual opinions, experiences,
knowledge, training, and development opportunities. The aim of this research project is to
explore librarians’ perspectives – attitudes, knowledge, and experiences – of privacy and the
protection of personal information and how it impacts professional practice in Ireland. Data
was collected through an online questionnaire delivered to current members of the Library
Association of Ireland. The findings suggest that professional practices regarding privacy
and data protection are affected by personal and professional opinions and experiences.
They basically confirm the value placed on privacy and confidentiality regarding a library
user’s personal records and activities. Personal awareness regarding privacy and data
protection appear to reflect an understanding of legal rights and data protection
responsibilities concerning the collection, use, and handling of personal information.
Awareness on a personal level suggests awareness of professional responsibilities and
practices especially for those who have participated in privacy and data protection related
development. The results also indicate that organisational data protection practices appear
sufficient in establishing procedures and policies but are not adequately communicated to
staff and library service users. Librarians support privacy and data protection education as
necessary for professional development and that libraries should play a role educating the
public. Communication efforts – staff training in and user notification of privacy and data
protection practices – would require improvement before any public education programmes
should be considered. This research provides an initial exploration into the awareness and
practices about privacy and data protection as evidenced by Library Association of Ireland
members. The ability to highlight the value in safeguarding personal information offers
librarians a way in which to positively impact their organisations and users. Author keywords: Privacy, data protection, librarians
