Reply dated 30 August from Gill Smith, DCC's Data Protection Officer, making light of concerns I had raised and showing the cavalier attitude of DCC to the whole subject of protecting privacy of library users. She should have visited many libraries, used her eyes, and ensured the problems were addressed nation-wide.

Dear Sir

Data Protection Act: Library Computers

Thank you for your letter of the 22nd August 2002. The paper-based procedure to reserve a session on public access computers is being phased out and is to be replaced by a booking system operated by a library card, to be completed by the end of September 2002.

Guidance and advice on the Data Protection Act is available from the Information Commissioner's Office. I enclose a copy of their "Data Controller's Guide" giving information about the Act. The Commissioner's Office is located at Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire 5K9 5AF. Their telephone number is 01625 545745, and their website is at www.dataprotection.gov.uk. The Information Commissioner's duties include the prosecution of persons for offences committed under the Act.

In respect of your query relating to personal data stored on the Library computers for issuing books and other items, the Council takes great care to ensure this information is kept secure and is protected from unauthorised access. Whilst every attempt is made to ensure personal data are not visible to users of the library, the computers are located in a public place. Little can be done to protect information from individuals determined to listen in on conversations between staff and borrowers or those intent on attempting to view staff computer screens, even if they have been turned away from public view.

Libraries are public places and it is not difficult to associate the name of a library user (that may have been overheard) with a book or item they wish to borrow or may be carrying around with them.

However, if you are aware of a specific incident where someone else's name and address was revealed to you, please let me know and I will arrange for an investigation to be carried out. Please send me details of the library where the incident took place, date, name of the member of staff, the exact nature of the information revealed, date, time, and any information as to how the personal data was made known to you.

Thank you for raising your concerns and for bringing this to the Council's attention.

Yours faithfully


Gill Smith
Data Protection and Security Officer

Copy sent to:
Lynn Osborne, Education Arts and Libraries and Roger Gash, County Solicitor

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