LISNews: Librarian News

Steven M. Cohen writes "From The Herald Tribune:

"Library officials refused to hand over the records and pointed out that a quick Google search showed that the words were from a bin Laden quote. The most likely scenario was that a student doing a paper on the terrorist had scrawled the note in the margin -- a practice frowned upon by librarians but hardly worthy of federal intervention.""

Pete writes "The Register (UK) has an interesting commentary on the Patriot Act here:

In 1787, Thomas Jefferson, one of the founders of the United States and its third President, wrote to Abigail Adams sentences that may seem incredible to many people today:

"The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions, that I wish it to be always kept alive. It will often be exercised when wrong, but better so than not to be exercised at all. I like a little rebellion now and then. It is like a storm in the atmosphere."

The Naperville Public Library in Naperville, Illinois (the board of which is appointed by the Mayor and approved by the City Council) is now going to ask patrons to submit fingerprints in order to verify the identities of patrons wishing to use the Internet terminals. Currently, parents can ask the library to filter the Internet access of their kids; according to the library, "filtered" kids are swapping library cards with kids whose parents have not asked for filters, so the little shavers are able to use the network without restrictions."

As early as late today or tomorrow, Rep. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) is expected to introduce in the U.S. House of Representatives an amendment to the House Commerce, Justice, State (CJS) Appropriations Bill to cut off funds for library and bookstore searches under Section 215 of the USA Patriot Act. The amendment to the CJS Appropriations Bill, which funds the Justice Department, is co-sponsored by two Republicans -- Rep. Butch Otter (ID) and Rep. Ron Paul (TX)-- and two Democrats -- Rep. Jerry Nadler (NY) and Rep. Tom Udall (NM).

"Section 215 of the USA Patriot Act is part of a dangerous erosion of our Constitutional rights that, little by little, is making us a less free nation," said Congressman Sanders. "American citizens across the political spectrum have made it very clear that they do not want the government monitoring their reading habits when they walk into a library or bookstore. We can protect our nation from terrorism without letting Uncle Sam read over our collective shoulders."

For more information about the Freedom to Read Amendment and the Campaign for Reader Privacy, go to the Bookweb/American Booksellers Association website. -- Read More

Cabot writes "The Canadian Library Association has released a briefing note (.pdf) on the implications for Canadian libraries of the USA PATRIOT Act."