Libraries have always had an important relationship with privacy.
It’s part of what makes libraries trusted institutions: people should be able to explore information, learn, and access services without feeling like they’re being watched.
That principle shouldn’t disappear when someone visits a library website.
At the same time, libraries need to understand how their digital services are being used.
Which pages are people visiting?
Which resources are popular?
Are patrons finding the information they’re looking for?
Which programs or services are generating interest?
Good analytics can help answer those questions.
Useful information doesn’t require knowing everything about someone
Analytics should help libraries understand patterns, not identify individual people.
For example, knowing that a particular service page received significantly more visits this month can be useful.
Knowing exactly which individual visited that page — and then following them around the internet — isn’t necessary to make that decision.
The distinction matters.
Libraries need useful information about their digital services without adopting analytics practices that conflict with the privacy expectations of their communities.
Keep the important metrics
Effective analytics don’t need to produce an overwhelming collection of charts and numbers.
Library staff may simply need to understand:
- How many people are visiting the website
- Which pages and resources are most popular
- How visitors are finding the site
- Which devices they’re using
- How usage changes over time
- Whether campaigns or new services are reaching people
The goal isn’t to collect as much data as possible.
The goal is to collect the information that helps you make better decisions.
Privacy by design
We believe privacy should be considered when analytics are designed, rather than added as an afterthought.
That’s part of the thinking behind LibreeAnalytics.
We’re building analytics specifically with libraries in mind, focusing on useful information about digital services while keeping the library’s commitment to patron privacy at the center.
Technology should help libraries understand their communities — not compromise the trust those communities place in them.
Better information. Less tracking.
Libraries shouldn’t have to choose between understanding their digital audience and respecting privacy.
With the right approach, they can do both.
That’s the kind of technology we’re working to build at Libree.