Authors : Myla Perez-Bernat; Remedios M. Dela Rosa

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 4 - April

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/yfhj2dct

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/3y566xjb

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26apr2344

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.

Abstract : This study examined the data privacy knowledge, digital footprint awareness, and data safeguarding practices of academic librarians in managing students’ data. Specifically, it assessed librarians’ level of knowledge in terms of privacy laws and institutional policies, data handling and management, and digital tools and technical measures; their level of awareness of digital footprints in terms of conceptual understanding and associated risks; and their data safeguarding practices in terms of access control, student privacy protection, and ethical and legal compliance. The study also investigated the relationships among these variables and determined the predictive influence of data privacy knowledge and digital footprint awareness on data safeguarding practices. Moreover, quantitative research design using a descriptive - correlational method was employed. Data were collected through a structured survey questionnaire administered to academic librarians. Findings revealed that academic librarian demonstrated a very high level of data privacy knowledge and digital footprint awareness, as well as consistently strong data safeguarding practices. Significant positive relationships were found among privacy knowledge, digital footprint awareness and data safeguarding practices. Furthermore, both data privacy knowledge and digital footprint awareness were identified as significant predictors of data safeguarding practices, with digital footprint awareness showing stronger influence. Both knowledge and awareness play critical roles in ensuring effective data protection in academic libraries. It emphasizes the importance of continuous professional development, institutional support and policy enhancement to sustain and further improve librarians’ competencies in safeguarding student data.

Keywords : Data Privacy Knowledge, Digital Footprint Awareness, Data Safeguarding Practices, Academic Libraries.

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