The Hekman Library uses Google AnalyticsTM on:
The Hekman Library uses SpringshareTM internal tools (see Springshare privacy policy) on:
The Hekman Library uses FullStoryTM (see FullStory privacy policy) on:
The Hekman Library uses HotJarTM (see HotJar - Privacy Policy) on:
These tracking tools are used to improve our services and are in compliance with Calvin University Web Privacy Statement
By default users are tracked via these tools. Users may opt-out/opt-in from being tracked by:
Drafted Feb 11, 2022
Hekman Library provides access to content for educational and scholarly use through library websites and its institutional repository. Hekman Library is committed to protecting the privacy of its users. The Library’s privacy and confidentiality policies are intended to comply with the American Library Association’s Code of Ethics, the Michigan Library Privacy Act, and all other relevant laws and University policies. Staff are informed of these policies and library management expects staff compliance. This document explains our policies on the collection, use, disclosure, retention, and protection of library user information.
To conduct library business, which has many transactional qualities, the library collects and maintains personally identifiable information about library users. The library automatically receives centrally managed personally identifiable information from Calvin University and Calvin Theological Seminary to create and update employee and student library accounts. For guest users (e.g., alumni, guests, or MeL users), the library must obtain certain personally identifiable information as we provide access to the library and services.
The library will maintain confidentiality of information sought or received and other personally identifiable data regarding use of library materials, facilities, or services. Identifiable information may be retained, in some cases indefinitely, when doing so serves an institutional purpose. The library will not make this information available to any other entity outside the library, except as required by University policies or as mandated by law.
Use of library computers or network requires a Calvin University user ID and passphrase or access to one of the workstations for guest users. Users are responsible for logging off when a session is finished in order to protect personal privacy and to ensure that there is no unauthorized access or use of network credentials. All use of library computers and networks is subject to Hekman Library’s Computer Access Policy and to the University’s related Calvin Information Technology policies, such as Responsible Use of Technology and Web Privacy Statement. The library may be required to disclose login and usage information to University authorities in addressing violations of these policies.
Whenever a user visits the library’s website, certain information is gathered and stored automatically through various software used to provide access to digital resources. This information does not generally identify the user personally. Information that is automatically collected and stored includes:
This automatically-collected information is only used internally for technical troubleshooting, to monitor compliance with the University’s Policy on Responsible Use of Technology, to understand the usefulness of resources, to improve the usability of the library’s website, or to record aggregate statistics.
Users connecting to library resources from off-campus or via the wireless network are asked to authenticate with a Calvin University username and passphrase or, if part of Calvin Theological Seminary, a 14-digit seminary ID barcode number. As part of this process, information (including a user’s ID) is logged by Calvin Information Technology (CIT).
If a user chooses to submit personally identifiable information to the library (through web forms, email messages, or other communication), that information will be used only for the purpose for which the user submitted it, with the exception that the library may make reasonable statistical reports that do not identify individuals. The library does not share this information with private organizations or allow it to be used for commercial purposes. The library does contract with Application Service Providers (ASPs) to provide some services, such as Interlibrary Loan, but the library requires ASPs to respect the confidentiality of the information placed on hosted servers. While the library may disclose information about use of the library in aggregate (such as server use statistics), the library will not disclose to unaffiliated parties any information that could be used to identify individuals or their use of library resources, except as required by University policies or as mandated by law.
The library website contains links to websites and licensed databases that are not maintained or supported by the Hekman Library. In some cases, library services may be provided via third party tools, e.g., live chat, etc. While users may reach these services via library websites, users are subject to the privacy practices of those third parties, and the library encourages users of these services to be aware of their policies before using them.
Transmissions made on the Internet are generally not secure since the information is transferred in clear text. In some cases, transactions made via the library’s website are conducted using an SSL (Secure Socket Layer protocol) connection to provide increased security to the information as it is transmitted. Personally identifiable information is stored in a password-protected environment and may only be accessed by authorized staff for the purpose of performing library work. While the library makes a concerted effort to protect personal information, we cannot guarantee that users’ submissions to the library’s website, any content residing on the library’s servers, or any transmissions from the library’s server will be completely secure.
If you have questions or concerns about this policy or its implementation, please contact David Malone, Dean of the Library.