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Week 8: Analytics in libraries and the push for data to demonstrate value

• Real time lecture: April 19th 8:30 - 10:30 Pacific/11:30 - 1:30 Eastern on Zoom https://zoom.us/j/9129428892

Overview

There's an increased push for the use of data analytics in libraries to show usage statistics, improve collections, and track all kinds of patron activities. This comes with obvious risks to privacy, which aren't always considered when making the choice to use this data. Some analytics seem to happen for the explicit purpose of surveilling users, especially students. This week, we'll be joined by LFP members Megan Kinney, Marisol Moreno Ortiz, Katie Elson Anderson, and Andrea Puglisi, who are also all currently enrolled in the Prioritizing Privacy course, which teaches academic librarians about learning analytics and their privacy and ethical issues. Megan, Marisol, Katie, and Andrea will share with us what they're learning, as well as their direct experiences with analytics use in libraries.

Readings

(You can skim these)

• Data collection and privacy https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2018/09/04/data-collection-privacy-learning-analytics/
• A comprehensive primer on library learning analytics practices, initiatives, and privacy issues https://crl.acrl.org/index.php/crl/article/view/24374/32199
• Learning analytics toolkit: privacy and ethics https://acrl.libguides.com/val/latoolkit/privacyandethics
• Data doubles project: datadoubles.org
• Data doubles toolkit: https://osf.io/8f2d3/
• Prioritizing Privacy: https://prioritizingprivacy.org/

Discussion

TBD

Tasks

• Lecture, readings, discussion forum