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Librarians Advocate Destroying Records
Posted by Steven Wu on Thursday, December 12 @ 15:16:48 EST News
Wow: The New York Times reports on how librarians across the country, concerned by the demands federal authorities can make under the USA Patriot Act, are suggesting that libraries simply destroy records on how users access collections or electronic information, so that there's nothing to give to the feds when they show up at the door.

Among the other interesting ramifications of USA Patriot discussed in the article: (1) Although the Act specifically opens up access to libraries' information, it does so by contradicting laws in almost every state that keep such information private except when needed for urgent law enforcement, and (2) "orders obtained under the [Act] come with a judicial directive that bars disclosure of the order to the news media or the public."

I have always thought that librarians were, as a general rule, some of the most considerate, caring people I have ever met. The extent to which they care about library users' privacy just confirms my opinion.

 
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