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I am sharing this letter with the permission of both its author and the person who brought the letter to my attention. The letter comes from Maurice J. (Mitch) Freedman, MLS, PhD President of the American Library Association and presents the position of the American Library Association regarding the Patriot Act. I am sharing this letter because this Act raises some very serious issues and they are issues of huge importance not only for libraries, but for all Americans and they are issues that impact the continuation of some the rights Americans enjoy as citizens. Sincerely, David Dillard Temple University (215) 204 - 4584 jwne@astro.temple.edu --------------------------- Date: Fri, 28 Jun 2002 15:15:09 -0400 (EDT) From: Maureen D. Pastine <mpastine@nimbus.ocis.temple.edu> To: david dillard <jwne@astro.temple.edu> Subject: [MEMBER-FORUM:3154] Letter of Response to Concerns about ALA's Position (fwd) fyi Maureen Pastine (215) 204-3259 University Librarian FAX: (215) 204-5201 Paley Library (017-00) mpastine@nimbus.temple.edu Temple University 1210 W. Berks Street Philadelphia, PA 19122-6088 --------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 28 Jun 2002 14:10:55 -0400 From: "Maurice J. (Mitch) Freedman" <freedman@wlsmail.org> Reply-To: member-forum@ala.org To: ALA Council <alacoun@ala.org>, ALA Member Forum <member-forum@ala.org>, ALA Executive Board <alaboard@ALA1.ALA.ORG>, "NYLINE@unix10.nysed.gov" <NYLINE@unix10.nysed.gov>, Public Library System Directors Organization of NY State <pulisdo@sals.edu>, Public Library Directors Association of Westchester County <directors@wls.lib.ny.us> Subject: [MEMBER-FORUM:3154] Letter of Response to Concerns about ALA's Position Dear Colleagues, Following is the letter that has been going out over my signature and which represents ALA's position--it is being sent to people who have expressed concerns about ALA's stance on the Patriot Act, privacy, etc. "Thank you for your recent letter. "America's libraries support our nation's efforts to preserve and protect the many hard-fought freedoms we enjoy as Americans. Librarians also have a responsibility to protect the privacy of our patrons while responding to legitimate national security concerns. In 49 of fifty states, most librarians are obligated by law to protect the confidentiality of patrons' library records and to require that a law enforcement agent provide a court order before releasing patrons' library records. "The American Library Association is concerned about the provisions of the U.S.A. Patriot Act that allow the FBI to seek information on Americans' reading habits, as if it were possible to determine what someone might do based upon what he or she has read. This wide-ranging federal surveillance of library records is a troubling development that will have a chilling effect on the public's use of library resources. "When someone checks out a book or looks at the Internet, it does not mean they agree with the information they find or that they intend to act on that information. Librarians will continue to fight for their patrons' First Amendment right to read and receive information without government interference. "Maurice J. (Mitch) Freedman President, American Library Association" -- Maurice J. (Mitch) Freedman, MLS, PhD President of the American Library Association http://www.mjfreedman.org; freedman@wlsmail.org Director, Westchester (NY) Library System 410 Saw Mill River Road Ardsley, NY 10502 Voice: 914-231-3223; Fax: 914-674-4193 All communications regarding the U*N*A*B*A*S*H*E*D Librarian should be sent to <editor@unabashedlibrarian.com> ******************************************************************************** "I'll be seeing you, in all the old familiar places..." =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-= All postings to LM_NET are protected under copyright law. To quit LM_NET (or set-reset NOMAIL or DIGEST, etc.) send email to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL or 3) SET LM_NET DIGEST 4) SET LM_NET MAIL * Please allow for confirmation from Listserv. For LM_NET Help see: http://ericir.syr.edu/lm_net/ Archives: http://askeric.org/Virtual/Listserv_Archives/LM_NET.shtml See also EL-Announce for announcements from library media vendors: http://www.mindspring.com/~el-announce/ =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=