Your privacy while using the Health Sciences Libraries of NYU and their web sites is an important element of your intellectual and academic freedom. In the course of providing services and circulating library materials, the libraries acquire 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 Libraries’ web pages contain many links to other sites, including databases and electronic journals that the Libraries have licensed for the use of New York University and its health sciences community. Users should be aware that these sites have their own privacy polices. The libraries are not responsible for the privacy practices of those websites and users are encouraged to read the privacy statements at those sites to learn of their privacy practices.

Although the NYU Health Sciences Libraries make 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 prevents 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 Web pages.

In writing this Privacy Statement, the Libraries have reviewed f ederal law, state law and local policies relating to the privacy of library, health and personal records keeping including HIPAA and FERPA.