Holt Library: Privacy: Home

DID YOU KNOW that librarians protect your privacy every day?

In a library, user privacy is the right to open inquiry without having the subject of one’s interest examined or scrutinized by others.

The American Library Association Bill of Rights: All people, regardless of origin, age, background, or views, possess a right to privacy and confidentiality in their library use. When users recognize or fear that their privacy or confidentiality is compromised, true freedom of inquiry no longer exists.

Privacy is essential to the exercise of free speech, free thought, and free association. Federal and state courts have established a First Amendment right to receive information in a publicly funded library. Further, the courts have upheld the right to privacy based on the U.S. Constitution. Many states provide guarantees of privacy in their constitutions and statute law. Numerous decisions in U.S. case law have defined and extended rights to privacy to all.

Find out more about libraries and your privacy at http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill/interpretations/privacy

In a global information society where knowledge is power, protecting the impulse to be curious, to read, and to learn is essential for the health of our democracy and our economy. The freedom to read and receive ideas anonymously is at the heart of individual liberty in a democracy. It ensures a person’s right to gain knowledge and form opinions according to his or her own conscience. It is the foundation for self-determination and meaningful participation in the political process. Privacy is a fundamental right. It is also a necessary condition for the unique and important work of American libraries – facilitating open access to information for all.

[ALA position paper 2019]

How to log out of your internet session at school (or on other public computers)

You might use public computer labs at school, in libraries, and at work. ANYONE can use public computers.

The best way to clear your personal information from your session is to
- Click the Start button (bottom left of your screen on the taskbar)
- Instead of choosing Shut Down, choose Restart from the dropdown menu that appears

This will clear the cookies, cache, and browser history and will prevent others from obtaining login or other personal information.

You can also:

Delete your browsing history. Use your browser controls to delete your cookies and history.
Log out. Click the Start button and choose Log Out. (Some computers are set to do this automatically, but this is not always the case.) Logging out closes all browser windows and logs you out of accounts you signed into.
Remember me (NOT): Make sure you do not check the "remember me" option on public computers.

Libraries are on the front lines in the battle for privacy rights

Position paper from the ALA (American Library Association)
"my personal data . . . my web searches . . . my browser histories . . . my email . . . my blog posts . . . my credit card purchases . . . my photos . . . my library records . . .I want the power to decide who sees what."
[privacyrevolution.org]

Protecting reader privacy and confidentiality has long been an integral part of the mission of the American Library Association (ALA) and the library profession. As early as 1939, librarians affirmed a right to privacy for library users. By 1973, librarians were encouraging state legislators to adopt laws protecting reader privacy, a campaign that continues today all across the country.

Accessing Library Resources

Online resources can be accessed by logging into MySCC and clicking the Library tab on the left side of the dashboard.

On our website you will find online databases containing peer-reviewed articles, the library book catalog, and library resource guides (a collection of resources for your major, your classes, or your interests).

In order to check out books, magazines, and DVDs

BRING your SCC ID card to Holt Library.
SELECT your items or ask us for help to find them.
Come to the main desk to check out! Students may check out up to 8 items at a time. Books check out for 1 month, DVDs for 1 week.

If you do not have a current SCC ID, visit the Cashier's office in Balsam first to get your student ID card.

DISTANCE LEARNERS

We can deliver your materials to Macon or Swain campuses
ALLOW FOR DELIVERY TIME
You can return items the same way (see the receptionist at your SCC Center)
You will need to establish a Holt Library account to check out print items. Just fill out this form

Need a book or article not available from Holt Library?

Fill out the Holt Library Interlibrary Loan form to request that we get the book or article for you from another library. Turnaround time is about a week to ten days. PLEASE PROVIDE: Title, Author, ISBN (if possible), and any other information you can find on the item you want (year of publication, etc.)