Government Power to Acquire Library Information...

[IWannaBeAPaperbackWriter]

I'm working on an article for my school newspaper and am vaguely aware that the government has the power to trace what books you take out from the library and effectively blacklist you if you rent something... controversial. I'm just wondering how valid this statement is, what document gives them such privileges, whether or not libraries are required to comply, and if it reaches into school library systems.

Thanks.

[Sabocat]

If I'm not mistaken, this is part of the Patriot Act.

The libraries are obligated to turn over records of who borrowed certain books at the request of federal officials, and are also not allowed to inform patrons of such actions.

Even bank records and receipts from stores (brick and mortar or online) for books bought are available to the authorities.


Libraries post Patriot Act warnings
Santa Cruz branches tell patrons that FBI may spy on them

Bob Egelko, Maria Alicia Gaura, Chronicle Staff Writers

Monday, March 10, 2003

Santa Cruz County library branches now post signs alertin... Ari Avraham of Santa Cruz says the Patriot Act allowing f...


Along with the usual reminders to hold the noise down and pay overdue fines, library patrons in Santa Cruz are seeing a new type of sign these days: a warning that records of the books they borrow may wind up in the hands of federal agents.

The signs, posted in the 10 county branches last week and on the library's Web site, also inform the reader that the USA Patriot Act "prohibits library workers from informing you if federal agents have obtained records about you."

"Questions about this policy," patrons are told, "should be directed to Attorney General John Ashcroft, Department of Justice, Washington, D.C. 20530."

Library goers were swift to denounce the act's provisions.

"It's none of their business what anybody's reading," said Cathy Simmons of Boulder Creek. "It's counterproductive to what libraries are all about."

LInk (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2003/03/10/MN14634.DTL)

[Felicia]

that reminds me of a commercial I saw. I'm quite sure that it was american, given that most of the TV shown up here is american. :lol:

This guy goes into the library, selects his books, then goes to check out. The woman behind the desk looks at his books, then looks at him, then looks behind the man..... and so the guy turns around and there are police/service agents standing there, giving the impression that they are waiting to question the man...... and there there's a stupid line like "aren't you glad you live in a free country"? or some other piece of propaghanda like that.

hilarious :lol:

[comrade_mufasa]

This was in that movie Seven with the religous serial killer who killed with his victoms if they did one of the seven deadly sins. it had Brad Pit in it and the great Morgan Freeman. great movie.

[apathy maybe]

I would be surprised if librarians with morals kept track of who borrowed which book once the book was brought back. The same would go with booksellers. However, if you can never trust anyone.

Personally if you are worried about the books, read them and take notes in the library. Use the photocopier if one is available.

[cathatonix]

I wonder how many FBI, CIA, NSA, Secret Service and Mossad agents are visiting this community?
Well, we're maybe all secret agents here, employed by different agencies? I'm surely one of them, so watch out! :lol:

[Latifa]

Originally posted by Apathy [email protected] 24 2004, 07:57 AM

Personally if you are worried about the books, read them and take notes in the library. Use the photocopier if one is available.
Bullshit! Everyone has a right to access a public library as a source of information! I've got a few questions regarding this part of the 'Patriot Act'-

1. What are the kind of books are they cracking down on?

2. Why are they in the library if no-one can get them out?

3. Which stupid sonaf***** invented the Patriot Act?

4. Why does the ad say "aren't you glad you live in a free country?" if they are making you less free?

[gaf]

and they will be fire. refuel with witches........
......on the edges of fascisme.....



silly they can't read further than your id cards,because then they won't make the same mistakes...again..

[h&s]

Is there anyone from Britain here that watched Bremner Bird and Fortune last night? I could swear that there was something about a new law coming out in this country that sounded suspiciously similar to the patriot act. I mean David Blunket has already shown he wants to do as much as possible to infringe on our rights, it wouldn't surprise me if he is considering this.
Well I&#39;m using a library computer right now, so I could be fucked if there is a commie clampdown in the future... <_<

[cathatonix]

There are governments all over the world who are using new "terrorist laws", giving them legal right to do whatever they want. I you are under suspicion being a terrorist, you are in bad trouble.
Red something about India, which is called a democracy. The police there take advantage of new terrorist laws and can wipe out a whole village. Genocide.

Some US agency (can&#39;t remember which one) cooperated with Swedish police recently. The swedish police arrested some egyptians and took them to an airport. The agency took the egyptians on a plane from Stockholm to Egypt where they were arrested and tortured. Why? They are terrorists, of course&#33;
Just some examples, there are hundreds of them.
Soon we all will be suffering under state terrorism.

[gaf]

Originally posted by [email protected] 25 2004, 02:38 PM

Soon we all will be suffering under state terrorism.
old menu , but not new really....
fight


fight for your right

fight for choices


and make your dreams a reality