Your privacy while using the NYU Health Sciences Library and its websites is an important element of your intellectual and academic freedom. In the course of providing services and circulating library materials, the library acquires information about you such as your name, university ID, and the services and materials you use. Information that is retained is required for the management of library operations. When it is necessary for the library to identify users, it is our goal to gather only the minimum information necessary and to retain that information only as long as is needed to complete the transaction. The library does not give, share, sell, or transfer any personal information to a third party except to meet your specific request, to conduct library and university business, or unless required to do so by law.
The library’s website uses Google Analytics to measure usage patterns. Google Analytics collects information anonymously and does not identify users individually. More information can be found on Google’s page about privacy.
The library’s webpages contain many links to other sites, including databases and electronic journals that the library has licensed for the use of New York University and its health sciences community. Users should be aware that these sites have their own privacy policies. The library is not responsible for the privacy practices of those websites and users are encouraged to read the privacy statements at those sites to learn about their privacy practices.
Although the NYU Health Sciences Library makes every effort to protect your privacy through implementation of state privacy laws and local practice, under the federal USA Patriot Act (Public Law 107-56), records of your library activities (including materials you borrow and your computer workstation usage) may be obtained by federal agents. The act may also prevent a library from informing patrons if any such action has occurred. This act supersedes existing state laws protecting the privacy of library users. For further information, see the ALA USA Patriot Act webpages.
In writing this privacy statement, the library has reviewed federal law, state law, and local policies relating to the privacy of library, health, and personal records keeping including HIPAA and FERPA.