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Librarians Stand Up for Liberty
By Rebecca Judd
In a bold statement standing up for intellectual and civil liberties, the Connecticut Library Association has passed a resolution regarding Public Law 107-56, particularly but not limited to Section 215 of the USA Patriot Act.
Karen McNulty, President of the Association, spoke about the law: "Connecticut Library Association's statement is intended to assist Connecticut libraries in developing their own resolutions or to be the key resource for a library's use. The CLA Executive Board feels that the Patriot Act goes too far by allowing law enforcement the ability to gain easy access to library records and computers. We support the idea that the right to read without government interference is a basic right for every American, and that sections of the Patriot Act are hostile to the rights of free speech and privacy."
Under Section 215 of the USA Patriot Act, government officials can request the records of a library patron without any probable cause for suspicion and without ever having to tell the patron that their records are being reviewed. This applies to books that you have borrowed and Internet usage while you are at the library. The laws also apply to privately owned bookstores.
Teresa Younger, Executive Director of the Connecticut Civil Liberties Union, applauds the efforts of the Connecticut Library Association and refers to the process as "impressive and a model for other groups, towns and citizens to follow. Librarians have always been some of the biggest advocates of privacy rights. Taking those rights away weakens the entire premise upon which our country was founded."
Similar resolutions have been passed by the American Library Association and in Vermont and California. The resolution in its entirety is available on the Internet at <cla.uconn.edu>.
Rebecca Judd is Development and Communications Director at the Connecticut Civil Liberties Union Foundation.
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