For many patrons, their main source of internet access is through the library. Forms and services like job applications, government assistance, and healthcare increasingly require the completion of online forms. However, these computer-mediated tasks can lead to increased privacy risks for patrons and make them more vulnerable to scams and identity theft.
In talking with library staff from around the United States, we’ve identified several common ways a patron’s privacy is at risk. To help staff minimize privacy and security threats when submitting information online, we’ve designed eight training modules that can help library staff respond to these threats to patron privacy.
These modules were designed using data collected from interviews with patrons and co-design sessions with staff working at public libraries around the country. Each module includes learning objectives as well as detailed descriptions and options for tailoring content. We encourage you to customize these training materials to fit the needs of your library and community.
