Privacy Policy

Revision date: 3-27-2012

Introduction

This Privacy Policy describes the data collected by the National Science Digital Library (NSDL), balancing the privacy needs of NSDL users with the library’s need for information necessary to provide users with high quality services. Contact NSDL with questions about NSDL privacy practices not addressed here.

Domains Covered by this Privacy Policy

The NSDL Privacy Policy applies to the following domains: nsdl.org; nsdlnetwork.org, and the domain stemexchange.org. This policy is also applicable to NSDL-held data generated by the NSDL on iTunes U site, although additional privacy policies established by Apple Corporation may also apply. If users leave these domains for other sites, including the sites of other NSDL-affiliated projects or resources, this Privacy Policy will no longer apply. Users are encouraged to be aware of and read the relevant policies on the portals and services they visit.

General Use of Information

NSDL receives and stores certain types of information whenever you interact with the web site. For example, NSDL maintains web activity log files such as the number of pages requested; time spent on a page; search queries and result sets from search queries; and uses web metrics to record the details of user visits; including pages viewed; type and version of operating system and web browser used; the IP address of the computer you are running on; the Internet domain for your Internet servicer (such as company.com or school.edu); the date and time of the visit; and other data.

NSDL may use this information to diagnose and solve problems with its services; to identify and resolve problems with computer security; and to understand and improve its services. NSDL also extracts and aggregates these data to gauge and improve the effectiveness of the site and its services. In addition, this information is aggregated for statistical purposes and may be made available publicly, such as in reports or community communications.

Anonymous and aggregated user action information may be shared as paradata (usage data about a resource) with other sites and may be reused as a metric of resource utility through data exchange services. NSDL does not expose any personally identifiable information in these services.  

Use of HTTP Cookies

HTTP cookies are small text files that a web site uploads to a user’s computer in order to provide the computer with information for subsequent visits. These files allow users whose computer accepts cookies to access certain features of the web site more efficiently after the first visit. NSDL uses cookies for purposes of authentication, user tracking, and maintaining user preferences across browser sessions.

Users may set their browser to refuse cookies from NSDL sites. If users choose this option, they may still gain access to most of the services on NSDL sites, but may not be able to save preferences, such as search preferences; access materials requiring a login; or take advantage of other interactive elements offered by NSDL.

Signing Up for Services

You may visit most of NSDL’s web sites and access most of our services without identifying who you are or revealing personal information such as your name, birth date, e-mail address or mailing address, that can be used to identify you. However, some services may request the disclosure of personal information. If you choose to provide such personal information, NSDL will process such information for the specific and limited purposes which we inform you about when we ask you for information (the “Purpose”). For example, we may collect and use personal data to provide you with certain products or services, to enroll you for a conference or seminar that you request, to respond to a question, or to communicate with you for other purposes. Except as described in the immediately following section, NSDL will not share your personal information with any third party.

Sharing of Information

NSDL may share your personal information to third parties who are acting for or on behalf of NSDL, or working for NSDL in accordance with the Purpose for which the data were originally collected.

Security

NSDL maintains all personal data with technical, administrative, and physical safeguards intended to protect against loss, unauthorized access, destruction, misuse, modification, and improper use. No computer system or information can be completely protected against every possible hazard, but NSDL provides reasonable and appropriate controls to protect personal information against foreseeable hazards.

Public Forums

NSDL sites may make bulletin boards or discussions available to users. Any information that users post to a public forum or email list becomes public information. Therefore, you should exercise caution when deciding to disclose your personal information. Unsubscribing from an email list or forum will not remove any name, email address, or information that was part of any previous posting from any archive of these lists or forums. In cases where such information is submitted via any registration process, the information in the public forum will not be removed when the registration is terminated and a user’s registration information removed.

Policy for Children Under 13

NSDL does not knowingly collect personally identifiable information from or about children under age 13. Students are advised to consult with their parents or teachers before giving any personal information online.

In its registration process, NSDL requires users to state if they are less than thirteen years of age. Children under 13 years of age are prohibited from directly registering for any of our services, and user accounts will not be created on NSDL sites for users under thirteen years of age. If we discover that we have received any information from a child under 13, we will delete that information immediately.

Compliance with Court Orders

NSDL may disclose information in response to an official legal request such as a court order or subpoena.

Maintenance of This Document

This document has been developed by NSDL staff with review and approval by Legal Counsel at the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR), the legal entity hosting the NSDL program. NSDL staff are responsible for the maintenance of this document, which will be reviewed and revised as necessary to reflect changes in the capabilities, practices, and procedures of NSDL, and/or on advice of legal counsel.

Contacts

For further information or inquiries, please Contact Us