Date: Tue, 21 Jun 2005 11:53:24 -0500
From: wmmarks <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: [Mpls] libraries
To: mpls issues <[email protected]>
Considering the case of Mr. Masaoui, one wonders whether MPL librarians
have been asked about patron's reading habits.
WizardMarks, Central
It is my understanding that Minneapolis Public Library (MPL) has not had any
inquiry related to the Patriot Act.
MPL keeps only the minimum number of records necessary for maintaining
operations. All personal patron records (books returned on time) and
computer access (internet sites/searches) are purged at the end of the day.
The only information the library would be able to release is current
books/materials checked out, any holds you may have, and fines owing
(including the book/material that was checked out, but once the fine is paid
then the information is deleted).
Information about your patron record, research, or other activities at the
Minneapolis Public Library is not released to anyone--including other
government agencies, whether local, state or federal-- without an order from
a court of competent jurisdiction.
As many of you know that I oppose any use of governmental power to suppress
the free and open exchange of knowledge and information or to intimidate
individuals exercising free inquiry. I also oppose the misuse of
governmental power to intimidate, suppress, coerce, or compel speech. I
will oppose attempts to allow the Patriot Act to censor information or
infringe upon the privacy rights of our library patrons.
Privacy is essential to the exercise of free speech, free thought, and free
association; and, in a library, the subject of users' interests should not
be examined or scrutinized by others.
The Patriot Act and other recently enacted laws, regulations, and guidelines
increase the likelihood that the activities of library users, including
their use of computers to browse the Web or access e-mail, may be under
government surveillance without their knowledge or consent.
I support user privacy and free and open access to knowledge and information
at the library.
Dont let the government read over your shoulder!
Sign the petition to amend the Patriot Act and protect reader privacy:
http://www.readerprivacy.org/petition.jsp
The Minneapolis Library Board recently passed a resolution on the Patriot
Act.
USA PATRIOT Act Resolution: approved by the Minneapolis Library Board (May
2005)
WHEREAS, the Minneapolis Public Library affirms the responsibility of the
leaders of the United States to protect and preserve the freedoms that are
the foundation of our democracy; and
WHEREAS, Libraries are a critical force for promoting the free flow and
unimpeded distribution of knowledge and information for individuals,
institutions, and communities; and
WHEREAS, the Minneapolis Public Library holds that suppression of ideas
undermines a democratic society; and
WHEREAS, privacy is essential to the exercise of free speech, free thought,
and free association; and, in a library, the subject of users' interests
should not be examined or scrutinized by others; and
WHEREAS, certain provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act, the revised Attorney
General Guidelines to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and other related
measures expand the authority of the federal government to investigate
citizens and non-citizens, to engage in surveillance, and to threaten the
civil rights and liberties guaranteed under the United States Constitution
and Bill of Rights; and
WHEREAS, The USA PATRIOT Act, most notably Section 215, and other recently
enacted laws, regulations, and guidelines increase the likelihood that the
activities of library users, including their use of computers to browse the
web or access e-mail, may be under government surveillance without their
knowledge or consent; and
WHEREAS, Section 215 of the USA PATRIOT Act is scheduled to expire on
December 31, 2005; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Minneapolis Public Library urges congress to oppose
reauthorization of Section 215 of the USA PATRIOT Act in its current form
and to support legislation that supports the privacy of library records.
More information:
http://www.mplib.org/patriotactqa.asp
http://action.aclu.org/reformthepatriotact/
http://www.mplib.org/civilliberties.asp
Thank you,
Rod Krueger
Library Board / Nokomis East
www.rodkrueger.org
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