There were three seminars or workshops at the TLA 2018 conference in Dallas that I had scheduled to attend for the purpose of this assignment.

Digital Privacy – Tuesday April 3, 9am-12am (Ticketed event)

Booktalking Challenging Books – Tuesday April 3, 4:00pm-5:00pm

Net Neutrality is Over: What Do We Do Now? – Friday April 6, 9:15am-10:15am

My intention in attending these seminars, despite not being specifically about my chosen topic, was to investigate a broader look at how issues of surveillance and privacy emerge in libraries.

Unfortunately, last minute changes meant I was unable to attend. However, I was able to review the materials presented in “Booktalking Challenging Books” and “Net Neutrality is Over.”

“Booktalking Challenging Books” is directed more towards public and school libraries, specifically discussing the issues of privacy, censorship, and intellectual freedom with young adults. One of the primary goals is presenting a framework for how to discuss what may be challenging subjects. The authors demonstrate the framework using examples with the books All Rights Reserved and Access Restricted, both by Gregory Scott Katsoulis. They include examples of questions that might be asked, examples of student responses to the project, and methods of continuing interest in related books.

The authors demonstrate how to connect the themes of books with current events, especially current events related to library censorship. The challenge to LGBTQ library materials in Orange City, Iowa was specifically discussed, especially as how it relates to LGBTQ teens. The petition in Orange City, Iowa called for LGBTQ materials to be separated from the main collection and community input required before new LGBTQ materials were added to the library’s collection. Though this is more rooted in issues of censorship and segregation, it significantly affects potential privacy and surveillance issues in the library. Any individual browsing for LGBTQ materials would be immediately apparent, which can impact an LGBTQ youth’s feelings of safety, especially for those who are not yet open about their sexuality or gender identity.

Reference:

Phillips, M., Ingram, J., Thompson, S., & Delmar-Rollings, J. (April 3, 2018). “Booktalking Challenging Books.” Texas Library Association 2018 conference, Dallas, Texas.

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“Net Neutrality is Over” was presented by Larra Clark at the TLA 2018 conference in Dallas, Texas. The presentation detailed the implications of the loss of net neutrality rules and how it may affect libraries. Clark presented an overview of the history of net neutrality and what the 2015 FCC ruling meant for access. The presentation showed how past issues highlighted the need for preserving universal and unrestricted internet access. Common themes of pre-net neutrality involved censorship of competitor information and restriction of access to information and third-party software by Internet Service Providers. The presentation author outlined how the loss of net neutrality protections threatens not just intellectual freedom, but patron privacy as well.

Though this seminar was focused on net neutrality and intellectual freedom issues rather than privacy and surveillance, I felt this was an important aspect in the issues of surveillance and privacy. The loss of net neutrality has potential far-reaching consequences for libraries and may set a precedent for further erosion of privacy protections and increased surveillance issues. Though as the net neutrality repeal has been hailed as a win for private companies, surveillance and loss of privacy may in the future more likely come from private, rather than governmental sources.

References:

Clark, L. (April 6, 2018). “Net Neutrality is Over: What Do We Do Now?” Texas Library Association 2018 annual conference, Dallas, Texas.

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There is a current webinar series that I believe will be especially helpful for this topic, LITA’s Privacy In Libraries series. Specifically, the segment titled “Analytics and Assessment: Privacy vs. Surveillance” is on point for my project. Unfortunately, this segment will not be conducted until after the semester is concluded. Additionally, the cost of the webinar is prohibitive, as a non-member of LITA. For more information, please visit  http://www.ala.org/lita/privacy-libraries-lita-webinar-series

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I attended the TLA 2017 conference in San Antonio, Texas in April 2017, which had some seminars that are similar to the seminars presented in the 2018 TLA conference. These are provided for informational purposes only:

Protecting Student Privacy: School Librarians on the Front Lines – Thursday, April 20, 2017

Intellectual Freedom & Advocacy Boot Camp – Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Are You Ready? Policies & Procedures for Dealing with Materials Challenges – Wednesday, April 19, 2017