August 29, 201115 yr A library in London makes you tell them your sexual orientation and if you are HIV positive before they will give you a library card. Because, you know, that's really important to know before they lend you a copy of Game of Thrones.
August 29, 201115 yr This sounds as a violation of the European Privacy Directive, which applies in the UK as well. One of the things the directive says is that an organisation can only collect data from individuals if there's a reasonable ground why they need that information. They must need the information to fulfill their services or if law demands that they ask the information. Unfortuntely, probably it takes someone to sue them before they'll stop doing it. LOL, or does the management of the library want to organise gay parties and they want to send out invitations? Sincerely, Anton.
August 30, 201115 yr Author Maybe they are just bored that they've gone a full two weeks without riots? "No library card! No peace!"
August 31, 201115 yr I didn't have to fill out any information like that when I got my library card in London. They just asked for my work permit number since I was an American in London and a local address/phone which I had of course.
August 31, 201115 yr Well, here it seems it is helpfulness run amok. http://jezebel.com/5835109/if-you-want-a-london-library-card-youre-going-to-need-to-answer-some-very-personal-questions They want to know so they can tailor library services and the like to their diverse audience.
August 31, 201115 yr Active Members The library should be able to tell the needs for, say, gay books, from the demographics of the neighborhood. But somehow those demographics were collected by asking folks about these same questions. So, who should do the asking?
August 31, 201115 yr Author And asking HIV status shouldn't have any impact on the types of books they stock at all.
August 31, 201115 yr Active Members And asking HIV status shouldn't have any impact on the types of books they stock at all. Might be used to justify a subscription to POZ magazine. Just saying.
August 31, 201115 yr Author I'm guessing you wouldn't have to poll everyone who came in to know if POZ magazine would be of interest.
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