General statement on privacy
In the course of providing library services, libraries must collect certain personal information from users which is stored in library patron records. The UNH Library strives to collect the least amount of personally identifiable information possible and limits the amount of time it retains this information to the time necessary to carry out our work, as informed by peer library best practice.
In adherence to New Hampshire State Law ( NH Rev Stat § 201-D:11 (2022)) the UNH Library will not divulge confidential patron information except upon request of the patron, or pursuant to a subpoena, court order or where otherwise required by law. Individuals requesting information on their own library history should contact a library information desk. Subpoenas, court orders or other legal requests for confidential information should be delivered to the office of the Dean of the UNH Library.
Who has access to this information?
All library patron records are confidential. Library records may only be disclosed to:
Library employees performing job duties that require access to these records
Individuals requesting information about their own library records
Law enforcement with a valid subpoena, court orders or other legal request
Where billing is concerned, personal information, but not library activity, may be shared with the UNH Bursar.
Information Collected
Like all libraries, the UNH Library collects personally identifiable and anonymous information to provide library service to users.
Personally identifiable information is any information that could potentially identify a specific individual. The library limits the data collected to that which is necessary to provide services. Patron records are populated by regular data transmissions from the UNH Registrar (student data) and UNH Human Resources (employee data) including name, email, ITID and library barcode. Locally created library patron records include name, address, email and phone number.
Additionally, confidential information collected by the library could include:
Items currently checked out, requested, and cancelled holds
Overdue items
Fine history (current year plus previous five years in accord with USNH policy)
Notices or letters sent to library users about their accounts.
Items returned: (one year)
Request queue (one year)
Interlibrary loan records (five years)
Webform submissions (up to one fiscal year)
Ask-a-librarian requests and registration for events (anonymized once the question is answered or event has taken place)
Special Collections and University Archives Patron Registration forms (five years)
Anonymous information is information that does not specifically identify an individual. The anonymous information collected by the library about your use of our website and services could include:
URL of the web site visited before the library’s website
Domain names and /or IP addresses that may indicate the location of a computer or network
The browser version being used to access the web site
Hardware and software type and language
Cookie data that may save preferences for future visits
Date and time of requests
Demographic data
Interaction data
Page views, click data and navigation flow
Public computers
Public computers are library computers that do not require a login or user account. The library does not keep a record of activities on any public computer, however, a record of browsing history and activities on our public computers may temporarily be retained. Library users are encouraged to clear their browsing history and delete any personal files they have saved after using a public computer. For questions about privacy related to the use of cluster and lab computers, please see the USNH Cybersecurity Policies and Standards.
Library Website
The UNH Library website follows the USNH Privacy Policy, which provides more information on the USNH approach to privacy.
Surveillance Cameras
The UNH Library may use recording devices at non-public entries and exits for security reasons. The UNH Library does not position recording devices in public library areas and does not allow video recording in the library without the permission of the library dean’s office.
The Associate Dean of the Library is responsible for monitoring and updating this policy as needed. Questions about this policy can be sent to ask@unh.libanswers.com.
Written by: K. Sweetman: 4/24
Reviewed by UNH Library Faculty: 7/24
Approved by Dean of the UNH Library 9/24
