Library Privacy Statement

The University of Michigan Library may collect data about your library use in order to improve services and integrate with broader university teaching and learning initiatives.

We’re committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of all patron data in compliance with federal and state laws, university policy, and professional standards (such as those recommended by the American Library Association).

How we collect, use, and share library data

See Your Library Data on the university’s ViziBLUE safe computing site for information about what data we collect, how we collect it, how we use it, and how we share it — with safeguards to protect your privacy and confidentiality.

View your personal library data

Use My Account in the website header to view your library history, including your materials check-out history, interlibrary loan requests, and Special Collections Research Center requests. Know your checkout history options.

Request general library data

The Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a broad disclosure law that requires the university to make many of its records publicly available upon request. Library records, however, get special protection under Michigan law, which specifically shields library records from FOIA.

A “library record” is a document, record, or other method of storing information retained by a library that contains information that personally identifies a library patron, including the patron's name, address, or telephone number, or that identifies a person as having requested or obtained specific materials from a library.

De-identified and aggregated data that does not include identifying material is not protected by Michigan law and is subject to FOIA. You can file a FOIA request for such information through the university’s Freedom of Information Act Office.

Updated November 2020