Library Service privacy notice

Last updated: April 2026

What this notice is about

This notice explains how we process (use) your personal data when you become a member of Islington Libraries and use our services, including: 

• reserving, requesting, renewing and borrowing books and other items, including electronic copies 
• using our computers, wi‑fi and internet services 
• booking and using meeting rooms or study pods (where the booking is made by an organisation rather than an individual). 

Please also read the council’s main privacy notice. It includes more detail about your rights, how to contact the council and the Data Protection Officer (DPO), and how to make a complaint. 

What information we collect, hold and use 

We may collect: 

• your full name 
• your contact details (for example, address, telephone number and email address) 
• your date of birth (to set the correct membership type and age category) 
• your library account details (for example, membership number and online account details) 
• records of your use of library services (for example, loans, reservations, renewals, charges and computer bookings) 
• equalities information (such as religion, disability and gender identity) for monitoring purposes. Providing this information is optional. Not providing it will not affect the service you receive. 

Our legal reasons for processing (using) your data 

Under UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA 2018) and the Data Use and Access Act 2025 (DUAA 2025) we use your data because:

• we are doing something in the public interest or as part of our official duties (public task)
• to fulfil a contract which you have requested to enter into .

Where we collect equalities information (such as ethnicity, disability, gender identity or other protected characteristics), we do this under the UK GDPR rules for special category data. We rely on: Article 9(2)(g) UK GDPR – substantial public interest, supported by Schedule 1, Part 2 of the Data Protection Act 2018, which allows councils to monitor equality of opportunity, eliminate discrimination and ensure services are fair and accessible. 

Providing this information is completely optional, and choosing not to provide it will not affect the service you receive. 

Other laws that apply to our services 

We follow these laws: 

• Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 

Who we share your information with 

We may share your information with: 

• service delivery partners, such as Library Management Cloud and Bibliotheca 
• for eBook and audio book services providers, including BorrowBox, Libby, PressReader, Overdrive and LOTE4Kids (if you sign up) 
• the police (for the purposes of fraud and crime prevention). 

How we store your data 

We keep your information safe in our secure library management system. Only staff who need it can see it. 

We keep your membership information until you cancel your membership or your membership expires. If you have outstanding loans or charges, you may need to resolve these before we can close your account. 

After your account is closed or expires, we keep some records for a limited time for audit, financial and service-management purposes. Where possible, we will delete data or anonymise your data so you can no longer be identified.  

We usually keep relevant records for up to 7 years after your membership ends  or your last activity (for example, when the last loan is returned). We may need to keep them for longer if we need to meet a legal requirement or deal with an ongoing issue. 

For more information about how long we keep your data check our main privacy notice and retention schedule. 

Your individual rights 

You have rights over your personal data. For more details see our main privacy notice and the page about your individual rights.  

Complaints 

If you are unhappy with how we use your data please see the council’s main privacy notice to find out how to contact our Data Protection Officer and make a complaint.