This LibGuide explains the upcoming change that is happening to how our library system retains your borrowing records.
Whenever an item is checked out from and returned to the library, our systems record the history of that transaction, including a reference to the person who checked out the item and which copy of the material was borrowed.
To protect your privacy, starting in January 2025 Murphy Library will be anonymizing all loan history data that is older than six months. This process will de-identify the individual associated with the loan transaction. After anonymization, Murphy Library will retain a record of the loan for internal collection analysis purposes, but will no longer be able to know which patron borrowed the item at that time.
If you do not want to maintain your full loan history, there is nothing you need to do.
Starting in January, if your account has history older than six months, that older information will be anonymized, removing any connection it has to your account.
If you want to maintain your full loan history, then you need to follow the instructions below prior to January 2025.
If you want to maintain your entire loan history, prior to January 2025 you will need to log in to https://loanhistory.library.wisconsin.edu/ and opt in so that your history is preserved for your use.
If you decide later that you do want your loan history anonymized, you can go back to that URL and opt out.
If you have opted in to maintain your full loan history, you can view your loan history from within My Library Account.
Once you opt in, you can export your loan history by using the Download link in the loan history service. This will download a text .csv file you can store offline or use in your personal applications.
NOTE: Any accounts that do not opt-in by January 2025 will have their loan history reduced to the prior six months, and loan history older than that will be anonymized and not recoverable.