How do you engage with library stakeholders and communities on privacy issues and advocacy?

1 Know your policies and laws

The first step to engaging with library stakeholders and communities on privacy issues is to understand your own policies and laws. What are the standards and guidelines for collecting, storing, and sharing user data in your library? How do you comply with federal, state, and local regulations, such as the USA PATRIOT Act, the Children's Internet Protection Act, or the General Data Protection Regulation? How do you handle requests for user information from law enforcement, third parties, or other libraries? Review your policies and laws regularly and update them as needed to reflect current best practices and user expectations.

2 Educate your staff and users

The second step to engaging with library stakeholders and communities on privacy issues is to educate your staff and users. How do you train your staff to respect and protect user privacy in their daily work? How do you inform your users about their privacy rights and responsibilities, and the risks and benefits of using library services and resources? How do you provide them with tools and tips to safeguard their personal data and online activities? Create and deliver privacy education programs, workshops, webinars, or guides for your staff and users, and use various channels and formats to reach different audiences and learning styles.

3 Collaborate with partners and allies

The third step to engaging with library stakeholders and communities on privacy issues is to collaborate with partners and allies. How do you network and communicate with other libraries, organizations, or groups that share your privacy values and goals? How do you leverage their expertise, resources, or influence to amplify your privacy message and impact? How do you support their privacy initiatives and campaigns, and invite them to support yours? Identify and connect with potential partners and allies, such as the American Library Association, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, the Library Freedom Project, or local advocacy groups, and explore ways to work together on privacy issues.

4 Listen to and involve your community

The fourth step to engaging with library stakeholders and communities on privacy issues is to listen to and involve your community. How do you solicit and respond to feedback, questions, or concerns from your community about privacy issues? How do you tailor your privacy services and programs to meet their diverse needs, interests, or preferences? How do you invite them to participate in your privacy planning, decision-making, or evaluation processes? Use surveys, focus groups, interviews, or other methods to gather and analyze community input, and create opportunities for community engagement, such as forums, panels, or advisory boards.

5 Advocate for privacy rights and reforms

The fifth step to engaging with library stakeholders and communities on privacy issues is to advocate for privacy rights and reforms. How do you raise awareness and mobilize support for privacy issues that affect your library and community, such as surveillance, censorship, or data breaches? How do you influence and persuade policy-makers, legislators, or other decision-makers to adopt or change laws or policies that impact user privacy? How do you measure and demonstrate the value and impact of your privacy efforts? Develop and implement advocacy strategies, such as campaigns, petitions, letters, or testimonies, and use evidence, stories, or data to make your case.

6 Celebrate and promote your privacy achievements

The sixth and final step to engaging with library stakeholders and communities on privacy issues is to celebrate and promote your privacy achievements. How do you recognize and reward your staff, users, partners, or allies for their contributions to your privacy goals and outcomes? How do you showcase and share your privacy successes and lessons learned with your library and community, and beyond? How do you inspire and motivate others to join or support your privacy efforts? Use events, awards, newsletters, social media, or other platforms to celebrate and promote your privacy achievements, and to build a culture of privacy in your library and community.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?