Ask a Librarian - Privacy

The UCI Libraries are committed to protecting the privacy of users of our collections and services. The information we collect during Ask a Librarian transactions (which includes email and chat) is kept in the strictest confidence and is used only to provide and improve these services. Occasionally, we may transfer your question to a UCI Libraries' staff member who is outside the Ask a Librarian service. However, all UCI Libraries' staff follow the American Library Association Code of Ethics, which states that "we protect each user's right to privacy and confidentiality with respect to information sought or received and resources consulted, borrowed, acquired or transmitted."

The Ask a Librarian services collect limited personal information for several reasons. We need a name, email address and UCI affiliation to properly answer your question and send you a response. We need your IP address and browser type to determine software compatibility and to analyze service patterns. We may ask additional questions to clarify your request.

Ask a Librarian Email and Chat: We delete all personal information (name, email address and computer IP address) after 35 days. We retain information about callers' UCI affiliation and browser type for statistical purposes and we retain your questions for training and research purposes. UCI uses Springshare's LibAnswers software for Email and Chat. Please see their privacy statement.