Vandals at the gates

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to examine issues surrounding digital stewardship and information security with the digital library.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is exploratory in nature.

Findings

This paper highlights areas in which there needs to be awareness of information security issues in order to protect patrons and library resources.

Practical implications

Information security is now everyone's business. Librarians who deal heavily in digital content must be active in their stewardship of digital library resources, both to preserve and protect potentially sensitive content, but also the privacy and confidentiality of the patrons.

Originality/value

It is hoped that everyone who has anything to do with the creation, maintenance, dissemination and preservation of digital content in the library context will take information security seriously. This paper is intended to be a primer for those who have not taken account of information security issues to begin doing so on an ongoing basis.

Citation

Fox, R. (2006), "Vandals at the gates", OCLC Systems & Services: International digital library perspectives, Vol. 22 No. 4, pp. 249-255. https://doi.org/10.1108/10650750610706961