ZGram - 5/6/2003 - "America's librarians are stiffening their spines"

[zgrams at zgrams.zundelsite.org]

ZGram  - Where Truth is Destiny:  Now more than ever!

May 7, 2003

Good Morning from the Zundelsite:

If there is ever a group of people I have loved for many years 
without reservation, it is America's librarians.  In all my years as 
a writer and speaker, I cannot remember a single time that one of the 
librarians I consulted has ever let me down.

Friendly, helpful, patient, ever ready to dig for hours for the 
smallest and most obscure reference - that's how I remember 
librarians.

I am immensely pleased to discover that my favorite people are now 
the very ones who show they have a stronger spine than our 
politicians and our mainstream media.

A very nice, uplifting editorial appeared in the California-based 
Mercury News on Apr. 28, 2003:

[START]

Librarians writing their own chapter on guarding rights

IF it won't disturb the patrons much, stand up and give a cheer for librarians.

As Big Brotherism grows in Washington, librarians are firmly 
defending civil rights -- particularly, patrons' right to privacy. If 
they didn't believe so unequivocally in universal access to 
information, they'd likely block the door when FBI agents and others 
seek to snoop upon patrons.

Instead, their opposition takes a most library-like form: posting 
signs warning patrons, printing fliers and passing resolutions in 
opposition to the USA Patriot Act.

Among other things, the act allows the government to more easily 
conduct secret searches, justify wiretaps, spy on residents and lock 
up immigrants -- with little judicial recourse. A followup, Patriot 
II, would expand that power grab at the expense of civil liberties.

In Santa Cruz, a sign advises library users not only that their 
borrowing records may be obtained by federal agents, but also that 
library workers are prohibited from informing patrons if that happens.

Palo Alto librarians have proposed that borrowers' records be purged 
sooner, to decrease what's available to a snooping Uncle Sam.

 From Alaska to Wisconsin, state library associations have passed 
resolutions condemning laws eroding privacy and information access. 
In California, the association encourages members to educate their 
communities ``about the far-reaching dangers of the USA Patriot Act.''

The Alameda County Library Commission has urged the board of 
supervisors to endorse both the state library resolution and a 
similar national one.

Already, librarians' efforts have produced a result: Rep. Bernie 
Sanders, Independent-Vt., introduced a bill that would exempt 
libraries and booksellers from Patriot Act provisions.

It is reassuring that, when the federal government becomes 
overzealous in trying to ferret out subversiveness, some institutions 
stand up for our cherished rights.

Cheer quietly for librarians.

[END]