Managing Data for Patron Privacy: Comprehensive Strategies for Libraries. Kristin Briney and Becky Yoose. Chicago, IL: ALA Editions, 2022. 176p. Paper, $69.99 ($62.99 ALA members) ISBN: 978-0-8389-3828-7.

Abstract

Not long before I sat down to write this review, Baker & Taylor, a leading content distributor to academic, public, and school libraries, fell victim to a ransomware attack. Though Baker & Taylor remedied the issue within weeks, the incident left those using the service at a standstill. The attack left Baker & Taylor’s clients fearful of interacting with the distributor online and unsure if any customer data was compromised. With security breaches seemingly becoming more commonplace, Kristin Briney and Becky Yoose’s Managing Data for Patron Privacy: Comprehensive Strategies for Libraries arrives at an all-too-important moment to inform library workers of their role in handling patron data. This extensive how-to guide, which spans ten chapters, explores relevant themes impacting library patrons, including the overall security of data, current risks in various library settings, and a given library’s current patron data management process. Rooted in their work in consultancy for research data management and extensive experience in library data in various library settings, Briney and Yoose signal to readers not only a sense of urgency but passion for discussing this critical topic.