Protecting the privacy and confidentiality of library users is important. UNCW Library adheres to the laws, regulations, and policies referenced in the University of North Carolina Wilmington Information Privacy Program. The library also complies with the UNCW Information Technology Services Division policy for Responsible Use of Electronic Resources and the University General Records Retention and Disposition Schedule.
This statement describes how UNCW Library collects, uses, and manages user information across various platforms, services, and resources. We do not share this information with outside parties except as required by law and as guided by UNCW General Counsel. The library is bound by federal law, state law, and professional ethics to ensure open access to information. The confidentiality of library use extends to your encounters with library personnel. Librarians and staff treat all requests in a serious and professional manner.
UNCW Library User accounts
Library accounts enable users to check out library materials. We only collect information needed to conduct regular library business and retain it only as long as necessary (for more information, refer to University General Records Retention and Disposition Schedule).
You may view your library account information online or inquire at the Library Help Desk.
Card Swipe – Space Access
UNCW Library stores data each time faculty, staff, or students, use their OneCards to enter spaces that require card access (e.g., the Graduate Student Lounge, Faculty Commons, Retreat at Randall, Sensory Friendly Space, etc.) or general building access at certain times of the day. The library uses this data for space usage assessment.
Data associated with space access includes information available from the University’s Access Management unit; for example, name, access location, date and time of access, whether access was granted or denied, badge type, and department.
Card Swipe – Events/Instruction
UNCW Library will ask attendees of library events or instruction sessions to use their OneCard or enter data via a QR code for assessment purposes. Attendees have the right to opt out of data collection and can fully participate in these activities whether opting in or out.
These data include information available from the University Registrar's office; for example, for students: name, 850 number, student classification, student department, and student major; for faculty and staff: name, 850 number, and department. The library's designated assessment professionals look at individualized data and report out on aggregate data to determine usage trends and programming enhancements.
Security Cameras
For the safety of our campus and its visitors, security cameras are located in public spaces throughout the library buildings. Only authorized library staff and law enforcement personnel have access to view live feeds and recorded footage.
Library Computer Workstations
UNCW Library provides access to computer stations for UNCW affiliated users. Network access and rules on these computer stations are managed and maintained by Campus ITS. The library does not maintain a log of who uses the library’s computer workstations, but we do gather statistics on the number of log-ins on each computer to determine overall usage. UNCW Library is not responsible for the privacy practices of websites accessed from the public workstations.
Guest computer stations are available for non-UNCW affiliated users and require a guest computer card. We retain the number of guest computer sessions but do not track information from individual sessions. Guest computer accounts are deactivated after one year of inactivity.
Web Analytics
UNCW Library's web site uses Google Analytics to analyze web site traffic. Our content management system, Drupal, tracks logged in users for session management. Web analytics information is used to measure the number of visitors to the various sections of our site and identify system performance or problem areas. We also use this information to analyze patterns of usage and to make the site more useful. However, this information is not used for associating search terms or patterns of site navigation with individual users, and no personal information is collected in this process. For more information about Google Analytics, please consult Google’s privacy policy.
Third Parties
The library uses a variety of third-party tools, services, websites, and licensed databases that are provided by external companies. We receive usage statistics from most licensed databases, some of which report the IP address of the workstation used for access. No attempt is made to identify individuals who use library-licensed databases.
While we make every effort to select third-party vendors that reflect ethical privacy and confidentiality practices, UNCW Library is not responsible for third-party privacy practices
Links to Third Party Privacy Statements
Library Assessment and Research Projects
UNCW Library is engaged in library assessment and research designed to improve the library, advance library practice, and contribute to library science research literature. These library assessment and research efforts may include information or data obtained through surveys, focus groups, or other means. When data is collected solely for internal purposes - such as service improvement or operational decision-making - it is not considered research intended to contribute to generalizable knowledge and therefore does not require Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval. However, projects intended for publication or broader dissemination may require UNCW IRB review to ensure compliance with ethical research standards. All data collection activities involving students must also comply with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which protects the privacy of student education records.
Changes to privacy statement
This Privacy Statement may be amended from time to time. Any such changes will be posted on this page. The effective date of this Privacy Statement is September 2025.
For questions about this Privacy Statement, please contact UNCW Library through our website.