User-Generated Content in Library Discovery Layers: An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights
Libraries offer a variety of systems that provide access to the resources in their collections.
Examples of such systems include, but are not limited to:
- the library catalog;
- institutional repositories;
- digital collections; and
- discovery layers.1
Some of these systems also let users add their own comments, reviews, or ratings. This makes the library experience more engaging by allowing people to share their thoughts. Creating this shared knowledge can show the value of libraries as places for information and learning.
Discovery layers may let users add commentary, reviews, and ratings (e.g., one star to five stars), or participate in discussions. When users add content, the library should clearly show the difference between user-generated content and library-generated content. Libraries should avoid giving the impression that they endorse or disapprove of any content. User-generated content can influence search results (e.g., content with higher ratings may appear first). Such search features should not be turned on by default. Users should have the option to enable such features.
Libraries do not have to allow user-generated content. A publicly funded library can set rules to limit who can add content and what content they can add. These rules can’t be based on the users’ views, beliefs, or affiliations.2 For example, the library may require users to have a valid library card or an online account to add content through the discovery layer.
Commenting systems in publicly funded libraries may be considered limited public forums. Libraries that allow users to add content should have policies that explain when, where, and how people can contribute. Any restrictions must be reasonable and not based on users’ views, beliefs, or affiliations.3 Libraries should:
- regularly review policies with legal counsel;
- share policies with staff; and
- make the policies available to the public in the main languages spoken in the community.
Libraries must protect the privacy of users who add content to discovery layers. They should review the privacy policies of any vendors that manage or store user-generated content. Libraries should encourage users to review these policies. Users should give consent before personal information is collected and shared with third-parties. Lastly, libraries have a duty to keep all library-use data safe and private.4
Notes
1. “Library Privacy Guidelines for Library Websites, OPACs, and Discovery Systems,” Intellectual Freedom Committee, June 24, 2016. “A discovery service provides a single web-based user interface to search across multiple resources such as library catalogs, periodical databases, institutional repositories, and digital collections.”
2. Knight First Amendment Inst. at Columbia Univ. v. Trump, 302 F. Supp. 3d 541 (S.D.N.Y. May 23, 2018).
3. Knight First Amendment Inst. See also “Social Media Guidelines for Public and Academic Libraries,” approved by the Intellectual Freedom Committee, June 2018.
4. Library Bill of Rights, Article VII, adopted June 19, 1939, by the ALA Council; amended October 14, 1944; June 18, 1948; February 2, 1961; June 27, 1967; January 23, 1980; January 29, 2019; “Privacy: An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights,” adopted June 19, 2002, by the ALA Council; amended July 1, 2014; and June 24, 2019.
Adopted January 12, 2016, by the ALA Council; amended June 24, 2019 under previous name “User-Generated Content in Library Discovery Systems”; and June 29, 2025.
