Comments on: FBI takes library computers without a warrant

By: j's scratchpad

j's scratchpad — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 00:22:51 +0000

FBI seizes Maryland Public Library Computers Without Court Order…

The Fredrick News-Post reported on August 3rd that the FBI seized two public computers from the downtown Frederick library without a warrant:
“The FBI removed computer records from the C. Burr Artz Library this week, a library official confirmed …

By: Liam Hegarty

Liam Hegarty — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 18:11:34 +0000

I looked at all the moralistic handwringing at Slashdot. Well, not all but a lot of it. In most states it is irrelevant as they have laws on the books requiring the police etc. to get a warrant before the library releases any information about patrons. The fact a statute exists removes the ethical conundrum. Even the most yellow-bellied, wormy unethical librarian has to obey the law. The library does not need to have a policy, only a copy of the state’s statutes.

The ALA has compiled a page with links to each state’s statutes. Although the ALA url is too bizaare to post here, if you google library policy statutes, it will take you to the page.

New York, where I work, has a pretty clear statute. Here it is:

NY CLS CPLR sect. 4509

sect. 4509. Library records

Library records, which contain names or other personally identifying details regarding the users of public, free association, school, college and university libraries and library systems of this state, including but not limited to records related to the circulation of library materials, computer database searches, interlibrary loan transactions, reference queries, requests for photocopies of library materials, title reserve requests, or the use of audio-visual materials, films or records, shall be confidential and shall not be disclosed except that such records may be disclosed to the extent necessary for the proper operation of such library and shall be disclosed upon request or consent of the user or pursuant to subpoena, court order or where otherwise required by statute.

By: MD librarian gives away the store « The Quick and the Dead

MD librarian gives away the store « The Quick and the Dead — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 13:43:46 +0000

[...] Jessamyn West, who notes: “I don’t see anything in the library’s policies that would prevent this from [...]

By: Julian

Julian — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 01:51:10 +0000

Commented on the Slashdot thread. A bit surprised to see library-related news make it over there, but given the context and speculation, not really.