allocate resources to providers who engage in practices that infringe on user privacy. This misallocation can compromise the ethical integrity of libraries.
l Implications for academic freedom: Unrestricted access to library data provides opportunities for further control of the research ecosystem by major academic publishers wielding influence over publishing to funding, statistics, and data management.
Actions for librarians
l Review licence agreements: Librar- ians should meticulously review licence agreements with vendors and platforms. Advocate for strengthened clauses that a ddress user data and consent. Demand full transparency on what data is collected and ensure it is used exclusively for improving the platform itself, not for external com- mercial purposes.
l Question data collection practices: Engage vendors with pointed questions about their data collection practices. Seek detailed information on the specific usage data points they track, who has access to this data, and how it is shared with publishers.
l Negotiate with publishers: When negotiating with publishers for new content packages, make it unequivocally clear that libraries will not overpay for titles they already subscribe to or provide usage data for commercial exploitation.
l Start small: Begin by asking vendors simple questions about their data practices and work up to more detailed inquiries over time. Small steps build familiarity and confidence.
l Learn from others: Connect with librarians at other institutions to learn how they are addressing data concerns in their contract negotiations.
l Involve legal counsel: Consider hav- ing your institution’s legal counsel review licenses and negotiate strengthened data protection clauses.
l Sector-wide position statement: Consider working with consortia groups to develop a sector-wide position statement on the ethical use of library data. Advocate for a widespread opt-out approach while i ssues of ownership and control are resolved.
l Contribute to model license dev- elopment: Collaborate with sector bodies like JISC to contribute data policies and concerns to model licence development. Highlight the need to address aggregation of anonymised usage statistics.
l Advocate for data-neutral systems: While technical challenges exist, librari- ans should advocate for alternatives like data-neutral systems that do not allow detailed behaviour tracking or surveillance.
This ideological stance is crucial in safe- guarding user privacy.
l User engagement: Raise awareness about data privacy among library users, via training sessions on topics such as online privacy, secure browsing, and data protection.
l Advocate at institutional levels: Work with academic and administrative bodies to ensure that data privacy is con- sidered in the selection of digital platforms and resources, by including privacy as a criterion in procurement decisions.
Conclusion
There is plenty of evidence that academic publishers are tightening their grip around libraries through rising prices, limited ownership options, and restric- tive licenses that undermine access. If left unchecked, this exploitation will only escalate. That is why speaking up against these practices is so vital.
When it comes to user data there is no concrete evidence, which is part of the issue. When we don’t know exactly what data is even being collected, it’s impos- sible to know what is being done with it. We can try and read between the lines based on what happens to the pricing and availability of high-use titles, but there is no way of knowing one way or the other until there is transparency. That said, the evidence from the SPARC report is illuminating, given these are the same companies – and it is unlikely they would
draw on data available to them from one country, but not another. At this stage it’s more around raising awareness and getting buyers to start requesting information themselves from vendors or requiring clauses regarding data collection in their licences. Certainly, asking suppliers and vendors exactly what data is collected over and above what is made available to use via the usual statistics would be an enor- mous help, but outside of licence terms and conditions and clauses they’re under no obligation to tell us. Librarians have a solemn duty to uphold the principles of open, equal access to information, which lie at the heart of our mission. As the digital environment transforms how information is deliv- ered and used, we must be proactive in addressing the risks of unfettered data collection. By engaging collectively, transparently, and ethically with usage data, we can ensure that libraries remain sanctuaries of knowledge in the 21st century. Through collective advocacy and action, we can curb commercial interests from steering libraries away from serving their communities. There are always alter- natives that realign priorities to focus on education and knowledge equity rather than profit margins. By pushing back against troubling trends, we take a stand for the integrity and purpose of libraries as trusted sanctuaries of open information. BG
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