Privacy
(L4L)
The USA Patriot Act
USA
Patriot Act
The text of the Act, news articles, FAQs, and more from the American Library
Association. An essential source of information.
Confidentiality
and Coping with Law Enforcement Inquiries: Guidelines for the Library
and its Staff
After a brief discussion of the fundamental principles of librarianship and
the ways in which library procedures can affect confidentiality, this site
offers general and specific guidelines for dealing with visits by law enforcement
people whether they come with a subpoena or a search warrant. Recommended for
reading and discussion with staff.
Guidelines
for Librarians on the U.S.A. PATRIOT Act [pdf]: What to Do Before,
During and After a "Knock on the Door?"
ALA Washington Office
USA
Patriot Act Resource Site
"This website was created to provide the public with access to information about
the USA PATRIOT Act, intellectual freedom, civil rights and social justice" by
Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington. It includes a clear summary of
the act and online resources organized by governmental resources, educational
resources, non-governmental resources, international organizations, books and
academic articles, and handouts from the presentation that prompted this page.
Note the article on What
Patriot Act II Proposes to Do [MS Word].
Center
for Democracy and Technology
See the discussion of the Patriot
Act but while you're at the site, take some time to explore what it offers. "The
Center for Democracy and Technology works to promote democratic values and
constitutional liberties in the digital age. With expertise in law, technology,
and policy, CDT seeks practical solutions to enhance free expression and privacy
in global communications technologies."
Library Records
Post-Patriot Act (Federal Law)
Connie Von Der Heide, Wisconsin State Law Library: "I recently assisted
a city attorney who was seeking information on what library staff are
and are not required to do, pursuant to the USA PATRIOT Act, in the
event that law enforcement officials come asking to see library records.
The attorney found this web-based document helpful so I thought I'd
pass it on."
Michael Cross, Trustee
Corner, Channel,
January-February 2003 [pdf] (NOTE: see page 10)
In this article Mike Cross, consultant at the Division for Libraries, Technology,
and Community Learning, addresses the question of how the USA Patriot Act relates
to the Wisconsin law protecting the confidentiality of library records.
Privacy
WLA resources and activities on the USA Patriot Act and Libraries
Includes links to the text of the Patriot Act, WLA’s response to the Act, and WLA member’s activities regarding the Act.
Wisconsin
Statute on Confidentiality of Library Records
Here is the basic legal document that provides for confidentiality of library
records in Wisconsin.
The
Division's website on privacy issues
This site includes a set of Power Point slides and lists of over 20 sites related
to privacy issues.
Top
12 Ways to Protect Your Online Privacy
The Electronic Frontier Foundation presents their tip sheet on protecting your
online privacy. Suggestions range from, 'Do not reveal personal information
inadvertently' to 'Remember that you decide what information about yourself
to reveal, when, why, and to whom.' From Channel Weekly 2/20/2003
Yahoo
Privacy Resources
Links examining privacy from a variety of perspectives: personal, consumer,
medical, legal, and financial. A link that librarians may find particularly
relevant is Children
in Cyberspace. It contains a resource article for parents entitled "Children's
Privacy and Safety on the Internet," which points to a number of other online
resources.
Privacy.org
"Privacy.Org is the site for daily news, information, and initiatives on privacy.
This web page is a joint project of the Electronic
Privacy Information Center (EPIC) and Privacy
International."
ACLU
on Privacy
"The United States is at risk of turning into a full-fledged surveillance society" is
the overarching theme of this site. It provides up-to-date news on privacy issues
and legislative actions. Articles on the ACLU's response to the USA Patriot Act
can be found at http://www.aclu.org/safefree/viewallpressreleases_23307.html.
Handling
Confidentiality Questions
Guidelines for staff at Pikes Peak Library District (Colorado) on handling
confidentiality questions. While Wisconsin and Colorado laws are not identical,
these guidelines are a useful starting point for determining how to handle
such questions in Wisconsin public libraries.
Sample Policies
- Appleton Public Library's Privacy Policy
- Sample
Policies for Small Public Libraries: Circulation Policy
The sample circulation policy in Sample Policies for Small Public Libraries addresses Confidentiality in the last section (G). - Sample Privacy Policy from the Division for Libraries, Technology, and Community Service [MS Word]
- Memorial Hall Library, Andover, Massachusetts
- Paulding County (Massachusetts) Carnegie Library
Additional Resources
Supporting public libraries in Outagamie and Waupaca counties