Thursday, June 23, 2005
Library Records Being Scrutinized by Big Brother
True or False
True, according to some library officials. Justice Department denies it. Knowing what we do now about our government who would you believe?
A report filed on 6/21/05 by Barbara Zabarenko of Reuters stated that:
"U.S. librarians say they have been asked at least 268 times since 2001 to give law officers data about readers, despite repeated Justice Department denials that it is interested in patrons' reading habits.
A survey released this week by the American Library Association found the inquiries from law enforcement came formally and informally -- that is, without a formal legal order -- to public and academic libraries. That is despite laws in 48 states and prevailing opinion in the other two that library information is private.
"Now we have solid information that no matter what the Justice Department is saying, they are interested in libraries because they are coming, and not once or twice, but in appreciable numbers," Emily Sheketoff, executive director of the library association's Washington office, said on Tuesday."
"Quis custodiet ipsos custodes? - Who will watch the watchers?"
---Decimus Junius Juvenalis (Juvenal),Roman rhetorician and satirical poet (1st to 2nd cent. A.D.)
---Decimus Junius Juvenalis (Juvenal),Roman rhetorician and satirical poet (1st to 2nd cent. A.D.)
