Empowering Immigrant Library Users Through Personal Data Literacy Programming in Public Libraries

Abstract

As personal data collection and use grow in the digital age in the United States, people can work to protect their personal information from misuse by learning personal data literacy skills. This is especially true as policy changes in the United States and the use of data by law enforcement put immigrants in a more vulnerable position. Situated in the current social and political context, this article aims to create a case for why personal data literacy is more critical than ever, particularly for noncitizen immigrants, and why public libraries are well positioned to provide training for those skills. This article will include some recommendations for incorporating personal data literacy into existing programs for public library users, framed within specific issues that may concern not just noncitizen immigrant library users but all users who might be interested in making informed decisions about their personal data.