Librarians, what do you think?

[Mr. Bloom]

I'm conflicted by this story. I'd like the thoughts of librarians who are closer to this issue.

Library confrontation points up privacy dilemma (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080719/ap_on_re_us/library_privacy;_ylt=AvUF34_nOgZqt1QjeHDp0JSs0NUE)

[KnottedYet]

sounds to me like the librarians did the right thing:
*demanded the required warrant
*shut down all computers until warrant could be obtained

Knot-a-librarian-anymore-but-used-to-be

[Tuckervill]

I'm not conflicted at all. The librarians did the right thing.

That slope is slippery, my friend.

Karen

[shootingstar]

A search warrant forces the police to think more rationally of why they want to obtain info from ...the library on its clients behaviour -- instead of knee-jerk investigative tactics.

From the librarian who worked with ex-police officers and investigators for a govn't agency for nearly a decade. The police are very action oriented folks and hence, do not/cannot always engage in careful reflection. The best cops are the ones who do their jobs quietly, carefully and thoughtfully.

[Blueberry]

Yep - requiring a warrant is the right thing to do.

Too bad our politicians just voted for a bill giving telcoms civil immunity for producing information to authorities without requiring a warrant.

CA

[Mr. Bloom]

I'm not conflicted on the warrant issue...my conflict is whether or not people using publically owned computers in a public location have a right to privacy.

Don't the libraries use filtering and tracking software?

[Trek420]

It's a public space. At a public access computer anyone could go on the computer after you and may have access to the history, cookies, see where you surfed. As I'm not a lawyer I don't know if that could hold up in court.

So yes if you're surfing in a public place there's no assurance of privacy.

But just as it's not the librarians job to get rid of the "banned books" it's not their job to block sites whether controversial or objectionable by some. Just like they should not give up the records of who's checked them out I think. Just collect the fees if you return them late.

And yes I think the telcos should not have been a free pass outa that one,

[shootingstar]

I'm not conflicted on the warrant issue...my conflict is whether or not people using publically owned computers in a public location have a right to privacy.

Don't the libraries use filtering and tracking software?

Some library systems do use some filtering software. Not tracking software. A library is interested in general statistical data of total usage for all their resources they have purchased/invested time, the type of information their public needs/uses. They would not be tying the person's usage to the web use individually. It's a waste of their time...they need volume usage data per resource sector/category.

[wannaduacentury]

Some library systems do use some filtering software. Not tracking software. A library is interested in general statistical data of total usage for all their resources they have purchased/invested time, the type of information their public needs/uses. They would not be tying the person's usage to the web use individually. It's a waste of their time...they need volume usage data per resource sector/category.
+1

I work in a public and academic libraries. I find it most interesting that if the girl used the children's computers, why wasn't an adult there too? They are required at the one where I work. For supervision of unruly kiddos, and to force responsibility to parents about their child's online sites. The adult computers are on another side of the library seperate from children's section. And you have to be like 17 to use adult computers. So I do agree when using an public access computer, you have to be diligent to erase your tracks such as sensitive passwords of accounts etc. if you don't want others in your business. I agree that the librarian stood her ground in requesting a search warrant and that police were out of their bounds when they demanded the computers. Unfortunately, the girl was killed by her uncle and can't be brought back which is very sad. I can see police asking library personnel to help them (with a warrant, of course) about possible evidence on any of the computers. It should have been done quietly and not in a threatening manner. Jenn