chat privacy

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LIBRARY POLICY on ONLINE CHAT PRIVACY

ONLINE CHAT PRIVACY AND CONFIDENTIALITY

Your privacy is very important to us. Our online privacy policy is intended to let you know what information is collected by our chat service and how it is used.

WHAT INFORMATION IS COLLECTED ?

Our Chat Help service uses QuestionPoint software. The software keeps a transcript of every chat reference session, including the complete conversation between the librarian and the patron as well as all the web sites visited. Giving us your e-mail address allows us to send a transcript of your session with the librarian to your e-mail address at the conclusion of the session. This transcript is also sent to the library, so that we can improve our services by getting back to you if we find additional information about your question. We will not use these email addresses for any other purpose.

FOR WHAT IS THE INFORMATION USED?

While your transaction is being saved in a database, your personal information is removed. You are not identifiable.

We usually save the transcripts in order to:

· compile statistics about usage

· provide better service to all patrons

· train librarians for the service

· improve online reference service

· analyze the amount and types of questions we are being asked

WHO HAS ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION?

The information collected is only accessible to the librarians associated with the service.

WITH WHOM DOES THE LIBRARIES SHARE THE INFORMATION?

Statistics generated from chat logs may be used for library reports or publications. However, information about specific individuals (e.g. IP address, e-mail addresses, names, phone numbers, etc …) that might be included as part of a chat transcript will be removed.

WHAT CHOICES DO USERS HAVE ?

Any patron who wishes to have a record of their chat session deleted may e-mail the chat administrator (Helene Volat) to request the deletion of their chat transcript in the Chat database. Please send the date and time the chat session began.

Stony Brook University Libraries
Frank Melville Jr. Memorial Library, Stony Brook, NY 11794-3300
631.632.7100 (t), 631.632.7116 (fax)

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Created: March 30, 2005. Last Update: March 30, 2005