Privacy Statement
Personal Information
OU Libraries respect the principles of the ALA Bill of Rights. To that end, we only actively collect personally identifiable information when necessary for the fulfillment of the mission of the library, and we only use this information to provide library services. Personal information about all library users, regardless of affiliation with Oakland University, and their use of library resources is considered confidential. This information includes, but is not limited to, library records, student records, instructional interactions, and reference interactions. We will not disclose personal information except when required by law or university policy. OU Libraries adheres to FERPA and the OU Administrative Policy #470, Release of Student Educational Records in regard to the release of personal information.
Contact: Dean of University Libraries, (248) 370-2459
Library Space & Technology Use
The workspaces and technology tools available at OU Libraries are considered public and subject to federal, state, and local laws. These include, but are not limited to: study rooms and cabanas; computers and university-provided Internet access; and copiers/scanners. Security cameras are used by the OU Police Department to maintain the campus community’s safety in the Library.
Some of the libraries’ technology resources may store information (for example, scans using the public copiers, or Internet cookies) and should not be considered secure resources to use with confidential or sensitive information. We expect users to utilize OU Libraries’ workspaces and technology tools in respectful, ethical ways and in adherence with legal restrictions and university policy. OU Libraries adhere to the OU Administrative Policy #890, Use of University Technology Resources in regard to the use of technology tools.
Contact: Library Technology Services, (248) 370-2394
Information Security
Library records are considered confidential and are protected against unauthorized disclosure, modification, transmission, destruction, and use. OU Libraries adhere to the OU Administrative Policy #860, Information Security and the Michigan Library Privacy Act 455 in regard to keeping individuals’ library data secure.
Contact: University Technology Services
Third-Party Resources
OU Libraries provide access to third-party resources, such as subscription databases. We do not share library users’ personal information with these external resources except to provide specific library services, such as interlibrary loan through MelCat.
Third-party resources often provide personalized services by asking users to identify themselves through the creation of a personal account. Such personal information should be provided at library users’ discretion. The resource provider may not follow the same guidelines as those set forth by OU Libraries or Oakland University policies. We encourage library users to be aware of each third-party resource’s privacy policy before sharing personal information.
Contact: Collections Support Services, (248) 370-2493
Updated on 4/18/2014