Legal

ARCHIVED 2014-07-01, DATE APPROXIMATE · VERSION 20140701_rev01 · COMPARED WITH 20140228_rev01

Full text changes — 20140228_rev01 to 20140701_rev01

COLOUR MARKS THE SEVERITY OF A FLAGGED CLAUSE · + AND − MARK ADDED AND REMOVED

9595The Library wants to provide our users with the best online experience possible. As such, we use commercial software products to analyze and report on aggregated web metrics data. This data is generally retained indefinitely to support the mission of our Library of Congress web properties.
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9797The Library uses three types of information collecting tools on its various websites: [session cookies](), [persistent cookies](), and [other customization tools](). "Cookies" are small files that a website transfers to your computer to allow the site to remember specific information. If you do not want cookies to be transferred to your computer, you may choose to [opt out](http://www.usa.gov/optout_instructions.shtml) of their use by modifying your browser options_._ While you will still be able to access most features of the Library's websites, certain features may not work as well or may be unavailable to you.
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9999Session cookies do not contain personal information and once you close your browser, the cookies disappear. The Library uses session cookies on our site for technical purposes such as to enable you to more easily navigate throughout the Library's websites. Session cookies only collect non-personally identifiable data.
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101Persistent cookies store information on your computer for longer periods of time and across multiple sessions. The Library never uses persistent cookies to collect personal identifiable information about our website visitors. The Library uses persistent cookies to improve our web metrics by distinguishing between new and returning visitors; to prevent repeated prompting to complete our customer satisfaction survey, to anonymously aggregate data on how visitors use our sites and to "remember" preferences that you voluntarily provide in order to create a more seamless experience. For example, the myLOC.gov site has a "remember me" sign-on option. Choosing to use this option will set a persistent cookie.
101Persistent cookies store information on your computer for longer periods of time and across multiple sessions. The Library never uses persistent cookies to collect personal identifiable information about our website visitors. The Library uses persistent cookies to improve our web metrics by distinguishing between new and returning visitors; to prevent repeated prompting to complete our customer satisfaction survey, to anonymously aggregate data on how visitors use our sites and to "remember" preferences that you voluntarily provide in order to create a more seamless experience.
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103Customization tools allow you to voluntarily provide information to personalize and improve your online experience on a particular Library website, such as myLOC.gov. For example, you may choose to build your personal collection of items associated with your online account. This information is saved on our servers.
103Customization tools allow you to voluntarily provide information to personalize and improve your online experience on a particular Library website. This information is saved on our servers.
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105105### Personal Information
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107In order to use certain features of the Library's websites, you may need to submit personal information so we can respond appropriately. We will inform you what information we require and will only use it for the stated purpose. Examples include making a purchase from the Library's online gift shop, registering at myLOC.gov, requesting a response on a feedback form, and participating in the Library's wikis or blog areas. By providing the information, you are giving consent to the Library to use the information for the stated purpose; if you do not want to provide the information, the feature will not be available to you. For example, you will not be able to personalize your experience on myLOC.gov.
107In order to use certain features of the Library's websites, you may need to submit personal information so we can respond appropriately. We will inform you what information we require and will only use it for the stated purpose. Examples include making a purchase from the Library's online gift shop, requesting a response on a feedback form and participating in the Library's wikis or blog areas. By providing the information, you are giving consent to the Library to use the information for the stated purpose; if you do not want to provide the information, the feature will not be available to you.
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109109Occasionally, we may associate or contract with third parties in order to better serve you, for example, to fulfill your online order, or provide you with requested information or email updates, to collect your voluntarily provided feedback. Those sites will either follow our privacy policy or display their own. Except for the foregoing exceptions and for authorized government law enforcement activities, the Library does not provide personal information to outside organizations without first obtaining your permission.
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111111### Children's Privacy Policy
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113113Children are naturally curious about our world and the Library considers it part of its mission to reach out to them in creative and educational ways that protect their privacy. Certain Library websites offer educational content to children under 13 and this privacy policy, which complies with COPPA (the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act), will be available at these sites by a link.
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115115Some of these sites provide games and activities, and occasionally, we collect personally identifiable information in order to complete the one-time game or activity. We do not use the information for any other purpose and delete the information as soon as practical. For example, in our _Lifelong Literacy_ area, children can create an online picture postcard and email it to a friend. In order to send the online postcard, we need both email addresses as well as the child's first name so that the recipient will know who sent the card. This information is not retained. If the child chooses to post the online postcard in our gallery, we will not post any personally identifying information.
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117117If we become aware that a child under the age of 13 has made a request for information, for example through our _Ask a Librarian_ forms, we will respond to the request and any identifying information will be deleted once we have responded. Similarly, if we become aware that a child under 13 posted personally identifiable information on any of our websites, we will also delete that information.
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119In order to register for a myLOC account, a child under the age of 13 must provide an email address. The child will also have to complete the "parent's or teacher's email approval" box so the Library can notify the adult of the registration and our privacy practices. That email will also allow the adult to revoke the child's account. Like all registered myLOC users, a child can select a "remember me" sign-on option that sets a persistent cookie on the child's computer. As noted above, this cookie may be removed by modifying the browser.
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121119The Library will disclose information about a child under the age of 13 if it is necessary to protect the child or the site itself, or to respond to law enforcement.
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123121We take children's privacy very seriously, and encourage parents to contact us with any questions or concerns they may have via the web form at [http://www.loc.gov/contact/web-site-comments/](https://loc.gov/contact/web-site-comments/). Additionally, if parents want us to delete any collected personally identifiable information about their children under the age of 13, they can also contact us at the website address listed above.
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133131The Library uses various types of online forms and surveys to collect opinions and feedback from a random sample of visitors. Primarily, the Library uses the ForeSee Results' American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) online survey on an ongoing basis to obtain feedback and data on visitors' satisfaction with various Library of Congress web properties. The ACSI survey invitation pops up for a random sample of visitors; it is voluntary and does not collect personal information. The Library may also use other third party forms and surveys allowing you to provide feedback. All information you submit is voluntary.
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135133If you are randomly selected, a pop-up window will lead to the survey. The survey uses a [persistent "cookie"]() to recognize that you have been invited to complete the survey and block subsequent prompts. If you have set up your Internet browser to ignore or disable pop-ups, you will not be able to be randomly selected for the survey. If you have disabled JavaScript in your browser, but are interested in responding to our survey if randomly selected, you will want to enable JavaScript and reload the website now.
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137135If you get the survey pop-up request, please consider completing it for us. Thank you for your time and comments.
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139_August 30, 2012_
137_June 30, 2014_
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