Strauss Library Privacy Statement

As part of the University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus, Strauss Health Sciences Library (“Strauss Library”) operates according to our Mission, Vision, Values, and Goals. Strauss Library has a strong commitment to patron privacy. The basis of our commitment follows from the American Library Association Code of Ethics, which states, “we protect each library user's right to privacy and confidentiality with respect to information sought or received and resources consulted, borrowed, acquired or transmitted.” This Code of Ethics, along with the Colorado Library Law (C.R.S. 24-90-1), support our professional and ethical commitment to patron privacy and prevents us from reporting on individual’s use of our services or collections. In addition to this core commitment, Strauss Library adheres to all principles and practices which are outlined in the University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus Privacy Policy.

What information does Strauss Library collect and how is it collected?

You may access Strauss Library’s websites and select web services without providing personally identifiable information, however, you may need to provide personal information to use our services. The amount and type of personal information to use these services varies. It is the practice of the University of Colorado to collect the least amount of personally identifiable information necessary to provide services and meet any legal obligations. 

Website Usage, Browser Cookies and Google Analytics
The library receives aggregated and depersonalized usage data from sources such as journal and database publishers in order to monitor usage of library resources. In addition, when you use Strauss Library websites, we collect technical information from your web browser using browser cookies from Google Analytics in order to understand how library websites and resources are used. Usage information includes number of visitors, number of page views, IP addresses of visitors, website pages visited prior to visiting the site(s), browser and technical information about your device, and country of origin.

A browser cookie is a file designed to contain a small amount of user and website information stored on a user’s computer. The file interacts with the user and the website to provide a webpage tailored to the user through its awareness of information held within the file. Cookies also have the ability to carry all or parts of the information stored within the file to other websites that the user may visit or to third parties.

For more information regarding web browser cookies and your privacy options, see the Other Links and Relevant Information section at the end of this document.

Strauss Library does not use Google Ads or any form of commercial advertising.

Strauss Library’s Links to Third-Party Resources
Strauss Library subscribes and links to many databases and online publications. These resources typically have their own privacy policies and statements.

Some third-party vendors require users to create individual accounts to access (e.g., SciFinder). Additionally, third party vendors may suggest creating an account to save searches and optimize your experience, but an account is not required for access (e.g., Embase). Your interactions with these vendors are governed by the privacy policies of the third parties which provide them. Prior to creating an account read all terms of use and privacy statements you must agree to in order to create an account. Strauss Library does not have control over the personal information you provide to a third-party vendor.

Some third-party websites may use CU branding; however, these are still governed by their own separate privacy policies. Users are encouraged to carefully review all third-party privacy statements or practices.

On campus use of library resources does not at present require any kind of user login. Relevant University policies still apply: Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources (UC Denver APS 5001). When you visit licensed scholarly materials from off campus, you must use your campus login credentials to authenticate through the library’s EZProxy service. EZProxy data logs include a randomized sessionID, a timestamp, username, IP address, and the resource accessed. Logs are retained by the library for six months, per University of Colorado policy (see How is my information retained and/or destroyed below). These logs may be examined by library staff in the process of troubleshooting access problems for users, or as part of an investigation if the library has been informed of excessive downloading of copyrighted content or compromised user credentials.

Strauss Library may include links to social media channels on its websites. When you log into social media, quite a bit of information may be collected by these third-party services, including your IP address and which page you are visiting on our site. Social media services may set cookies to enable the social media features to function properly. Your interactions with any social media features are governed by the privacy policies of the third parties which provide them.

Item Check-out, Reference Services, Chat, Room Bookings and Other Services You May Request
In order to provide services such as authentication to library resources, and to check out items, Strauss Library maintains personally identifiable information in library users' online accounts (referred to as “Patron Record”). This information is either obtained automatically through University of Colorado identity management systems or entered manually by library staff when you share this information.

In addition to and separate from the Patron Record, Strauss Library collects and stores service-related personal information that you choose to submit via the library’s web-based management tools, such as, web forms for asking reference questions, forms for ordering items from other libraries, or forms for booking reservable study rooms. We also interact with our library users regularly and receive personal information via email messages, requests for new materials, chat sessions, web forms, and other communications. If you submit personal information via one of these platforms, we use your personal information only for the purpose for which you submitted it.

We collect anonymized data about the number and types of questions we receive. We use this data to inform staffing decisions, determine needs for staff professional development, and benchmark our library with comparable libraries.

Use of Library Facilities
Use of library computers is governed by the Strauss Library’s Computer Policy. Certain information about workstation sessions are logged by the Office of Information Technology; please review the campus administrative policy: Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources (UC Denver APS 5001). To protect your privacy, information stored locally on library computers is cleared when the user logs off. Remember to log off when finished using library computers and ensure the security of your information by never leaving your electronic devices unattended in a public area.

The door entry card swipe management system managed by University Police stores data each time a user swipes into a space that requires swipe card access. Strauss Library may analyze this data in the aggregate in order to better understand trends in usage and improve our collections and services.

Security cameras are placed throughout the library and throughout the campus. A live video feed is available to University Police. Recordings are only used in the case of an incident report. The recorded image resolution does not allow legibility of patron material being read or checked out. For further information about University camera systems, please contact University Police.

It is the policy of the University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus to require permission to video/audio tape, film or take photographs within campus locations. Please see the Photo/Film/Video Request/Approval Process.

How is my information retained and/or destroyed?

The University of Colorado has a global data retention policy and schedule that instructs departments, including Strauss Library, on their obligations to keep different types of information for different periods of time. The University of Colorado Denver Record Retention Matrix specifies retention periods for different types of records, including web and proxy server logs.

How does Strauss Library share my information?
In general, Strauss Library does not share your information beyond what may be needed by appropriate library staff to provide services you specifically request.  Rare exceptions where Strauss Library may share information in any other way include the following instances: (i) to the extent necessary to comply with applicable law and our legal obligations, such as to comply with a subpoena or similar legal process; (ii) when Strauss Library in good faith believes that disclosure is necessary to protect its rights, your safety or the safety of others; (iii) with third party vendors, consultants and other service providers who work for us and need access to your information to do that work; (iv) to investigate fraud, or respond to a government request; (v) to comply with an appropriate request under the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) (C.R.S. § 24-72-201 et. seq.); or (vi) if you request that someone from the Strauss Library share your information.

​As a public institution of the state of Colorado, Strauss Library must comply with CORA. Information we handle, including your personal information, may be available for request under CORA if it is not protected under any other law or specifically exempt from disclosure under CORA. We will not disclose information protected by law in response to a public records request.

How does Strauss Library protect my information?
The University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus has security policies and standards regarding the protection of personal information. Strauss Library follows these standards, which include both administrative and technical requirements to ensure information receives appropriate protection. Each campus has an information security officer and team who assist departments in providing appropriate protection for personal information. This includes active monitoring and assessments to detect potential security issues. Additionally, the University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus has an internal audit team that periodically performs security related audits.

For more information on the policies and standards used by the University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus and Strauss Library in protecting data, you can visit this site: https://www.ucdenver.edu/policies

What rights do I have with regards to my library information and privacy?

The specifics of information and privacy rights depend on the nature of your relationship to the University. Please be aware that personal data rights under International, United States, and Colorado information and privacy laws may differ. However, in general, you may request:

  • That Strauss Library correct inaccurate information about you (For example, updates to your name and contact information etc.)
  • That Strauss Library delete information about you (Depending on your role at CU and the information the University stores, Strauss Library may be required to keep copies of your information.)
  • To have Strauss Library limit or stop processing your information (limiting the processing of information may also limit what services are available to you.)
  • All changes Strauss Library may make to your information depend on whether the library owns the data. In some cases this data is owned by the University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus, and changes should be made by that authority rather than the library.

You should direct all requests to exercise these rights to the contact information provided in the Comments and Feedback section.

Changes to this Privacy Statement

Strauss Library reserves the right to modify this Privacy Statement at any time. To stay informed on changes to the privacy policy, revisit this page periodically.

Disclaimer

The information provided in this privacy statement should not be construed as business, legal or other advice, or as guaranteeing the security of information provided through Strauss Library’s websites.

Comments and Feedback

Please send any comments, questions, concerns or inquiries about Strauss Library and your privacy to: askus@cuanschutz.edu.

Other Links and Relevant Information