notice Some items are only available on campus or will require authentication via EUID and Password at the point of use.

UNT Libraries Privacy Statement

Page Contents 7 minute read.

Last updated: June 1, 2026 11:25 AM

University of North Texas Libraries (UNT Libraries) values our patrons' privacy and is committed to responsibly and ethically safeguarding patron data. We strive for transparency with our practices and policies.

Library patron data privacy is governed through several mechanisms, including university policies, the Institutional Review Board (IRB), professional standards (e.g. American Library Association), and Texas law.

The University of North Texas (UNT) Libraries keeps the minimum number of records necessary to maintain operations, following records and information retention requirements of the UNT System Consolidated CORE Records Retention Schedule (RRS) for all records and information created, stored, maintained, and disposed by the UNT Libraries.

What Library Data We Collect

Patron Profile Information

The UNT Libraries keeps information about library users; this may include but is not limited to EUID, EMPLID, Name, preferred address, designated contact number, and email address. Some library software, such as ILLiad, allows creation of personal accounts with personal preference for certain alternate contact information, in which case those are also kept on file. Courtesy card accounts such as TexShare also require us to keep record of home library and ID number.

Patron-Provided Information

When a library patron submits information or materials to the UNT Libraries by completing forms online or in-person, by communicating with us via mail, email, chat, or other method, or by donating materials to the library, the content provided will be maintained and used based on the function of the submission.

Logging Information

When someone interacts with library websites or accesses online journals or databases, we may record information such as EUID, browser and operating system used, date and time of login, length of session, page visits, and other transaction timestamps. The library has policies and scripts that will clean user profiles after 24 hours and will remove profiles if the system is low on storage.

Instruction Sessions, Library Events, and Chat Information

When someone attends or signs in to a library event or instruction session, or uses one of our AskUs communication channels such as chat, we may retain data such as name, EUID, EMPLID, timestamp information, and event metadata. The University of North Texas also employs software for learning analytics purposes, such as Eagle Access Card Swipe, and library-hosted events make use of these software or apps. When someone enrolls in a class or library instruction session, we may additionally record the semester, course, section of the instruction, and number of students in attendance.

Information on Use of Library Materials, Services, and Spaces

When a user check items out of the library, request materials from other institutions, use document delivery services to request digital or physical items, access articles and databases from third-party providers, provide form submissions, or make room, event, or training reservations, we may retain data such as IP address, transaction timestamp, EUID, EMPLID, and information on the materials requested or accessed.

Security Recordings

The UNT Libraries spaces have security cameras for the safety of library patrons and employees. Security recordings are stored short-term and may be viewed by authorized library employees and law enforcement officials as required for investigations of incidents occurring in library spaces.

How We Use Library Data

Library data is an institutional asset and may be used only by authorized university entities and select authorized third parties according to strict policy and processes established by the university, and in compliance with federal and Texas law. The University of North Texas uses library data for:

Service Support

We use transaction records of web and software interactions to troubleshoot resource access and system problems, and improve services to students, faculty, and staff. We summarize these data and report on it in a number of ways.

The UNT Libraries may also use University-provided student achievement data in conjunction with library data for service assessment purposes. These data are stored securely in compliance with University data retention policies.

Certain logging information, such as IP addresses, are collected and used to maintain site availability, and certain data may be used to block spam and automated bot traffic.

Integration with Teaching and Learning Initiatives

The UNT Libraries collects data about use of library resources to help improve its services and integrate them with broader teaching and learning initiatives at the University of North Texas.

Learning Analytics

The University of North Texas analyzes data about learners in university-created data sets, such as DAIR Insights.

Planning and Institutional Reporting

The UNT Libraries analyzes data to identify, evaluate, and respond to trends in library services and education. Examples include:

  • Describing library use across campus populations (e.g., disciplines, student levels), in order to improve and personalize services and allocate resources;

  • Analyzing trends in the percentage of first year students who participate in a library instruction session to inform future marketing of library instruction to faculty;

  • Analyzing patterns in document delivery services by patron type and/or department to understand the nature of scholarship in various disciplines and how our services can be improved to meet those needs.

  • Examining e-resource access issues to improve licensing agreements.

Research

The UNT Libraries may use summary data (with no individual identity information) for academic research purposes, which may result in publications or presentations.

How We Collect Library Data

Directly

The UNT Libraries receives data directly from users when they complete forms, submit requests, and so on.

Automatically

Most of the UNT Libraries’ systems generate and store data based on system visits and online interactions with library and third-party resources.

From External Sources

The UNT Libraries uses Google Analytics, which provides website traffic statistics. We use the information to better understand how library websites are being used and to improve our interface and services.

How We Share Library Data

Access to library data is safeguarded through several mechanisms, including university policies, the Institutional Review Board (IRB), professional standards (e.g. American Library Association), and Texas law.

Service Providers

The UNT Libraries engages service providers, such as software vendors, to support library systems and services. Select account information may be stored in service provider databases, as required for administration of service. We require our service providers to keep personal information secure and use it only for providing services on the university’s behalf.

Third-party/Licensed Content Providers

The UNT Libraries offers services and/or content such as online journals and subject databases from third-party vendors. When a library patron follows a link from the library website to a third-party site, interactions with these systems are governed by those sites’ individual privacy policies.

The majority of content providers rely on IP authentication, and the library provides no additional personal information. For a small number of content providers, more information is shared via Shibboleth authentication. This varies per provider and is displayed to the user upon initial access to the site, and periodically thereafter, to confirm that data may be passed along to the provider.

Other Research Institutions

As part of research grants or projects, the UNT Libraries may share anonymized transaction logs with specific academic institutions and service providers involved in the grant, providing the researchers have obtained IRB approval and established a memorandum of understanding about data use and retention with the University Libraries.

Personal information may also be shared when required by law, or to protect the safety, property, or rights of the university, its community members and guests.

Learn More

Questions or concerns? Please contact AskUs.

Relevant UNT Policy Documents/Statements

Relevant Texas Regulations