Topeka Capital Journal Reports to avoid a potential run-in with the Patriot Act, the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library is discontinuing a system on its public computers that allows patrons to maintain a personalized list of books or other library materials, a library official said Tuesday.
When asked why the federal government or law enforcement officers would be interested in what a library user listed on a library computer, Opgaard said he really didn’t think they would be.
“But I’m not a terrorism expert or in law enforcement,” he said.
He said, however, federal investigators determined a number of Sept. 11 terrorists had used computers in libraries in Florida.
But! — They can’t!
Gee, if they remove all that evidence what will they use to spy on the “criminal” activities of all those patrons who are not child molesters, arsonists, perverts, porn purveyors, sexual harrassers, etc, etc, etc. This will be a terrible thing to do to all those totalitarian types who believe that it is better for one hundred innocent people to be punished than for one guilty person to go free. You know . . . people like Ashcroft, Bush, assorted lackeys.
Where’s the middle of the road?
How come it seems that every issue with public libraries is black or white? Yes or no? Isn’t there always a middle of the road option? Can’t we figure out a way to allow users to keep the features they need/want, while still complying with the laws (regardless of how ridiculous they may seem)?
I’m no fan of the Patriot Act, but really…
“Our overwhelming desire is to protect the privacy of our patrons,” he said.
Let the patrons opt-in. Let them decide whether they care or not if the information COULD be collected by law enforcement. Isn’t that the logical step? Just like software installation, give the patron a notice that the information they store could be viewed by others.
Of course, I’m usually considered insane. But I always believe there is a middle of the road option.
Re:Where’s the middle of the road?
Yeah but, who’s gonna opt-out and who’s gonna opt-in? Foreign students at US flight schools?
Your mom? Bill O’Reilly? Former SDS members?
Re:Where’s the middle of the road?
I’d opt-in, but that’s because I’d be more concerned about the FBI browsing through my personal PC than when I use the library PC.
I suppose my ‘middle-of-the-road’ position is that why always eliminate services under the guise of ‘privacy’? Does every patron really worry about Patriot as much as your average librarian? Probably not..
Re:Where’s the middle of the road?
“Does every patron really worry about Patriot as much as your average librarian? Probably not”
Which is precisely why librarians should worry about these things. It’s easy to opt in when you have no real idea of the implications.
Consider the percentage of people who happily open attachments in email from people they’ve never heard of with “hi,” “hello,” or “test” as the subject…
Re:Where’s the middle of the road?
True. But one could easily argue that if patrons are not worried about the Patriot Act, shouldn’t that choice ultimately lie with the patron? The assumption is that the average patron doesn’t understand the Patriot Act, but some do and don’t worry.
Re:Where’s the middle of the road?
If a library wants to make opting-in feasible, with a sufficiently clear and up-front WARNING about the implications for loss of privacy, intrusion, etc. (which aren’t limited to the USA PATRIOT Act by any means), sure…
(There are probably more nuanced middle grounds, where the reading-list information is stored using an anonymous identifier that only the patron can associate with themselves, or, depending on the functionality needed, where the reading-list info is stored on the patron’s own computer.)
Re:Where’s the middle of the road?
But, it is true….who reads warnings? When I install software, that’s the first screen I skip.
But there is a middle ground that should be considered, otherwise the public will think that the libraries cannot find a solution that still maintains some confidentiality for patrons that desire that option.