Privacy concerns and the prevalence of third-party tracking cookies on ARL library homepages

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bill Marino
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Third Party ◽  
User Privacy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Privacy Concerns ◽  
Research Libraries ◽  
Association Of Research Libraries ◽  
Library Websites ◽  
User Knowledge ◽  
Privacy Issues

PurposeThe integration of third-party resources on library websites may be inadvertently contributing to surveillance technologies without user knowledge. This study set out to determine the prevalence of third-party tracking cookies on Association of Research Libraries (ARL) member homepages, the entities that are tracking users and for what purpose and what control users have over their cookie preferences.Design/methodology/approachHomepages from the 124 ARL member libraries were visited. Evidence of a privacy or cookie statement was collected and cookie logs were captured. This data were compared against the Disconnect list of known trackers and analyzed to determine the extent to which third-party tracking cookies were used across ARL sites, who was setting the cookies and for what purpose, and whether this use differed with regards to a library's identifying features.FindingsIt was determined that many ARL libraries do contribute to the ability to track a user's activity across the web, with one-third containing third-party tracking cookies. A user's contact with tracking cookies is influenced by various traits defining the institution. Users are given very little control over the cookies logged on their machines.Originality/valueThis study explores library efforts to protect user privacy, adopting an introspective approach that focuses on library websites. It will provide discussion points for librarians to question not only what third-party tracking cookies are present on their sites and why, but also how to educate their users about privacy issues.

An environmental scan of virtual and augmented reality services in academic libraries

2019 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
David Greene ◽  
Michael Groenendyk
Keyword(s):  
Augmented Reality ◽  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Library Services ◽  
Research Project ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Libraries ◽  
Association Of Research Libraries ◽  
Library Use ◽  
Virtual And Augmented Reality

Purpose The growing popularity of virtual and augmented reality (VR and AR) technologies, and increased research into their educational uses, has seen them appearing in a significant number of academic libraries. Little is known, however, about how many libraries have actually adopted these technologies or how they have structured library services around them. The purpose of this paper is to answer these questions. Design/methodology/approach The authors surveyed the websites of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) member libraries to gather information about the availability of VR and AR equipment as well as information about how access is provided. Recorded details about these services included information about staffing, dedicated space, software, what type of technology was offered and whether or not the technology was lent out or only made available for in-library use. Findings Results of the research project showed that a significant number of ARL-member libraries do offer access to VR technology. AR technology was much less widespread. The most common technologies offered were the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive. The technology was most typically offered for in-library use only. There were few details about staff or what software was offered to be used with the technology. Originality/value While there is growing research around how VR and AR is being used in education, little research has been undertaken into how libraries are adopting these technologies. This paper summarizes the research that has been done so far and also takes the next step of providing a larger picture of how widespread the adoption of VR and AR technologies has been within academic libraries, as well as how access to these technologies is being provided.

Protecting privacy on the web

2018 ◽  
Vol 42 (6) ◽  
pp. 734-751 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick O’Brien ◽  
Scott W.H. Young ◽  
Kenning Arlitsch ◽  
Karl Benedict
Keyword(s):  
Informed Consent ◽  
Privacy Protection ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Home Pages ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Library Websites ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
The Web

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the extent to which HTTPS encryption and Google Analytics services have been implemented on academic library websites, and discuss the privacy implications of free services that introduce web tracking of users. Design/methodology/approach The home pages of 279 academic libraries were analyzed for the presence of HTTPS, Google Analytics services and privacy-protection features. Findings Results indicate that HTTPS implementation on library websites is not widespread, and many libraries continue to offer non-secured connections without an automatically enforced redirect to a secure connection. Furthermore, a large majority of library websites included in the study have implemented Google Analytics and/or Google Tag Manager, yet only very few connect securely to Google via HTTPS or have implemented Google Analytics IP anonymization. Practical implications Librarians are encouraged to increase awareness of this issue and take concerted and coherent action across five interrelated areas: implementing secure web protocols (HTTPS), user education, privacy policies, informed consent and risk/benefit analyses. Originality/value Third-party tracking of users is prevalent across the web, and yet few studies demonstrate its extent and consequences for academic library websites.

Trust me: the keys to success in cooperative collections ventures

2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (8/9) ◽  
pp. 653-662 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah Lynn Jakubs
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
The State ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Collection Development ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Libraries ◽  
Association Of Research Libraries ◽  
Collaborative Tools

Purpose – Cooperation among research libraries is a venerable pursuit with a long history. The purpose of this paper is to examine three collaborative tools and programs ranging from the late 1970s to the present to identify the promise of each as well as the challenges, the factors that both facilitate and interfere with true cooperation, highlighting the lessons learned. Design/methodology/approach – The author analyzes the development and functions of the Conspectus of the Research Libraries Group, the Global Resources Program of the Association of Research Libraries, and the Triangle Research Libraries Network in the state of North Carolina, USA. Findings – While the goals of collaborative collections initiatives are laudable, it is often difficult to accomplish true, balanced, and lasting cooperation that results in both expanded access and financial reallocation. Originality/value – The study is a first-hand, inside look at the methods and mechanisms of cooperative collection development that offers suggestions for future partnerships on either a small or a large scale.

Impact of privacy, trust and user activity on intentions to share Facebook photos

2016 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 364-382 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aqdas Malik ◽  
Kari Hiekkanen ◽  
Amandeep Dhir ◽  
Marko Nieminen
Keyword(s):  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Research Model ◽  
User Privacy ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Self Disclosure ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Privacy Concerns ◽  
Photo Sharing ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Privacy Issues

Purpose The popularity of Facebook photo sharing has not only seen a surge in the number of photos shared but also has raised various issues concerning user privacy and self-disclosure. Recent literature has documented the increasing interest of the research community in understanding various privacy issues concerning self-disclosures on Facebook. However, little is known about how different privacy issues, trust and activity influence users’ intentions to share photos on Facebook. To bridge this gap, a research model was developed and tested to better understand the impact of privacy concerns, privacy awareness and privacy-seeking on trust and actual photo sharing activity and subsequently on photo sharing intentions. This study aims to examine the consequences of various facets of privacy associated with photo sharing activity on Facebook. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional data from 378 respondents were collected and analysed using partial least squares modelling. Findings The results revealed a significant relationship between various aspects of privacy, including awareness and protective behaviour, with trust and activity. Furthermore, trust and users’ photo sharing activity significantly impact photo sharing intentions on Facebook. Originality/value This study contributes new knowledge concerning various privacy issues and their impact on photo sharing activity and trust. The study also proposes implications that are highly relevant for social networking sites, media agencies and organisations involved in safeguarding the privacy of online users.

Specialties and strategies in academic libraries: a cluster analysis approach

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 45-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masanori Koizumi ◽  
Michael Majewski Widdersheim
Keyword(s):  
Cluster Analysis ◽  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Libraries ◽  
Association Of Research Libraries ◽  
Huge Data ◽  
Academic Librarianship ◽  
Job Titles ◽  
Staffing Patterns

Purpose Professional work is becoming more specialized and diffused, with new specialties emerging on the boundaries of established professions. The purpose of this paper is to examine current specialties in academic librarianship in order to infer what strategies they employ. Design/methodology/approach This research uses a sample of 60 US research libraries to investigate current specialties in academic librarianship, in order to analyze and classify the specialties into groups based on similarities, and categorize academic libraries based on the staffing patterns identified, and illustrate the challenges and strategies of each classification. The sample was selected from the membership of the Association of Research Libraries, and designed to include both large and medium-sized research libraries. 888 different job titles were identified for 2,074 specialist positions extracted from staff directories containing information on 11,688 librarians. The positions were analyzed and classified using the framework provided by Cox and Corrall (2013), and the specialty composition of the libraries was investigated with Ward’s (1963) hierarchical method of cluster analysis, using 28 variables. Findings The cluster analysis identified subspecialties within the groups and revealed seven distinct staffing strategies of the libraries. Originality/value Describing specialties and strategies in academic libraries by cluster analysis based on huge data is a significantly novel and effective approach for capturing the concept of specialization.

Misuse of information and privacy issues: understanding the drivers for perceptions of unfairness

2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 132-150 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bang Nguyen ◽  
Lyndon Simkin
Keyword(s):  
Theoretical Model ◽  
Direct Effect ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Theoretical Framework ◽  
Marketing Tactics ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Privacy Concerns ◽  
Model Based ◽  
Privacy Issues

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to study what happens when firms misuse customers’ information and perceptions of unfairness arise because of privacy concerns. It explores a unifying theoretical framework of perceptions of unfairness, explained by the advantaged–disadvantaged (AD) continuum. It integrates the push, pull and mooring (PPM) model of migration for understanding the drivers of unfairness. Design/methodology/approach The paper is conceptual and develops a theoretical model based on extant research. Findings Using the PPM model, the paper explores the effects of information-based marketing tactics on the AD framework in the form of two types of customers. Findings from the review suggest that three variables have a leading direct effect on the AD customers. Traditionally, the fairness literature focuses on price, but findings show that service and communication variables impact customers’ unfairness perceptions. This paper examines the importance of these variables, in the context of an AD framework, to help explain unfairness and consider the implications. Originality/value To explain information misuse and unfairness perceptions, the paper develops a unifying theoretical framework of perceptions of unfairness, explained by linking the PPM model of migration with the AD continuum.

scholarly journals An Anonymous Protocol with User Identification and Linking Capabilities for User Privacy in a Permissioned Blockchain

Electronics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 1183
Author(s):  
Gyeongjin Ra ◽  
Deahee Seo ◽  
Md Zakirul Alam Bhuiyan ◽  
Imyeong Lee
Keyword(s):  
Third Party ◽  
User Privacy ◽  
User Identification ◽  
Privacy Concerns ◽  
Multiple Users ◽  
User Management ◽  
Permissioned Blockchains ◽  
Privacy Issues

A permissioned blockchain includes a user in the network after verifying the user’s identity, in contrast to Bitcoin, which is a public blockchain that allows network participation without third-party approval. The two types of permissioned blockchains are private blockchains, each consisting of one server and multiple users, and consortium blockchains, which consist of groups of private blockchains. However, a blockchain has privacy issues, such as user tracking and inference. Therefore, cryptography should be applied for user privacy in a blockchain. There is a lot of research on anonymous protocols for privacy in a blockchain. In this paper, we provide a scheme for user management, i.e., identification and authorization, in a permissioned blockchain. We also propose an anonymous protocol with user identification and transaction linking capabilities provided by the private server, strictly to solve privacy concerns.

“StatLit: tactical interventions for strategic transformation”

2017 ◽  
Vol 34 (9) ◽  
pp. 10-14
Author(s):  
Seth Porter ◽  
Ameet Doshi
Keyword(s):  
Information Literacy ◽  
Literacy Instruction ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Statistical Reasoning ◽  
Statistical Literacy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Libraries ◽  
Biennial Conference ◽  
Strategic Transformation

Purpose This paper was inspired by an Association of College and Research Libraries Biennial Conference 2017 roundtable that aimed to transform existing notions about statistical literacy in information literacy instruction. Design/methodology/approach In Baltimore, the authors facilitated an in-person discussion and synchronous virtual dialogue via Twitter and Periscope about teaching basic statistical concepts (such as mean vs median) and the real implications of “statistical significance”. Findings A recording of the roundtable is available here: http://bit.ly/StatLit. Originality/value The goal of the StatLit roundtable was to inspire transformational thinking for teaching basic statistical reasoning to students within a library context.

Evaluating the usability of the information architecture of academic library websites

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 566-590 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabel Mariann Silvis ◽  
Theo J.D. Bothma ◽  
Koos J.W. de Beer
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Evaluation Framework ◽  
Information Architecture ◽  
Visual Design ◽  
Heuristic Evaluation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Library Staff ◽  
Library Websites ◽  
Web Developers

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide an integrated list of heuristics and an information architecture (IA) framework for the heuristic evaluation of the IA of academic library websites as well as an evaluation framework with practical steps on how to conduct the evaluation.Design/methodology/approachA set of 14 heuristics resulted from an integration of existing usability principles from authorities in the field of usability. A review of IA literature resulted in a framework for dividing academic library websites into six dialogue elements. The resulting heuristics were made applicable to academic library websites through the addition of recommendations based on a review of 20 related studies.FindingsThis study provides heuristics, a framework and workflow guidelines that can be used by the various evaluators of academic library websites, i.e. library staff, web developers and usability experts, to provide recommendations for improving its usability.Research limitations/implicationsThe focus of the usability principles is the evaluation of the IA aspects of websites and therefore does not provide insights into accessibility or visual design aspects.Originality/valueThe main problem that is addressed by this study is that there are no clear guidelines on how to apply existing usability principles for the evaluation of the IA of academic library websites.

Assessment committees: good practices from ARL libraries

2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 224-240 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle H. Brannen ◽  
Sojourna J. Cunningham ◽  
Regina Mays
Keyword(s):  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Good Practices ◽  
Research Libraries ◽  
Association Of Research Libraries ◽  
Library Assessment ◽  
Current State ◽  
Survey Results ◽  
Assessment Activities

Purpose Assessment activities in academic libraries continue to grow as libraries explore assessment endeavors. Ranging from basic stats gathering and reporting to surveys, focus groups, and usability studies and beyond. Many practitioners are finding it necessary to create new processes and programs, with little guidance. The purpose of this paper is to paint a broad picture of assessment activities in Association of Research Libraries (ARL) university libraries with the goal of creating a resource for libraries developing or improving their assessment programs. Design/methodology/approach A survey was developed that asked questions about assessment personnel, activities, mission, and website. A total of 113 surveys were sent to academic library members of ARL. Survey results were analyzed to compile a list of recommended good practices for assessment and working with assessment committees in academic libraries. Findings The investigators had a response rate of 43 percent. The open-ended nature of the survey questions allowed for the respondents to specifically narrow down the problems and opportunities inherent in library assessment committees. Originality/value This study takes the temperature of the current state of assessment programs in ARL libraries, demonstrating the growth of assessment programs. It begins to document the practices of these libraries, particularly in regards to the sometimes informal and hard to track use of committees and other in-house collaborations, as a first step toward developing best practices for the field. The results illuminate productive areas for further study, including investigating how to measure a culture of assessment and maximizing impact of assessment information presented on assessment websites.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document