What Every Librarian Needs to Know about the USA PATRIOT Act & Related Anti-Terrorism Measures

December 11, 2002 12:00-3:00 p.m. EST

Participants Materials

Contents

• Sponsors
• Summary of the Issues
• Resources
• Panelists
• Intended Audience
• Schedule

Sponsored by

American Association of Law Libraries

American Library Association

Association of Research Libraries

Medical Library Association

Special Libraries Association

Summary of the Issues

The "Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act" (USA PATRIOT Act) was designed to broaden the surveillance capabilities of law enforcement following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The Act contains new provisions governing criminal and foreign intelligence investigations and in so doing, affects state and local privacy laws. Since its passage on October 26, 2001, many libraries have seen an increase in law enforcement inquiries. Authorities have sought access to patron records, including electronic mail and other electronic communications.

On May 30, 2002, the Attorney General issued Guidelines that expand the FBI's investigative powers. On July 16, President Bush announced a "National Strategy for Homeland Security." All of these measures have profound implications for libraries and their patrons' privacy.

What do the PATRIOT Act, the revised FBI Guidelines, and other Homeland Security measures mean for all types of librarians and library patrons?

• How should librarians respond to requests from law enforcement for patron information?

• What policies and procedures should be implemented at libraries?

• What tools or resources are available to help librarians understand the changing landscape and respond with confidence to law enforcement requests?

This teleconference will provide libraries and their governing institutions with an analysis of the implications of the recent anti-terrorism measures. This will include identifying steps that institutions need to take to comply with proper search warrants, subpoenas, and wiretap requests from law enforcement. Panelists will address the key legal issues and policy implications for libraries and address the impact of any legislative and regulatory proposals on the privacy and First Amendment rights of library users.

As cultural and living symbols of the freedoms that Americans cherish, libraries will continue to strive for a balance between access to information for all, the privacy rights of our users, and the responsibility to cooperate with law enforcement agencies.

Resources

• ARL's Web site on Privacy, Security & Civil Liberties, http://www.arl.org/pp/pscl/index.shtml
• ALA's Web site on Libraries and the PATRIOT Legislation, http://www.ala.org/washoff/patriot.html
• NASULGC/AAU, Post September 11 Resources for Universities, http://www.aau.edu/resources/resources.html

Panelists

Tracy Mitrano Policy Advisor, Director of Computer Law and Policy Office of the Vice President for Information Technology Cornell University

James Neal Vice President and University Librarian Columbia University Libraries

Gary Strong Director, Queens Borough Public Library

Thomas M. Susman Partner, Ropes & Gray Washington, D.C.

Intended Audience

• Librarians
• Legal Counsels
• Library Administrators/Executives
• Library Governing Board Members
• Information Technologists
• State Networks/Consortia Staff

Schedule

• Pre-broadcast Activities at Remote Sites

• Basics of the USA PATRIOT Act, the FBI Guidelines, and Homeland Security Legislation
  Thomas M. Susman, Partner, Ropes & Gray, Washington, D.C.

• Implications for Libraries
  James Neal, Vice President and University Librarian, Columbia University Libraries
  Gary Strong, Director, Queens Borough Public Library

• Question and Answer Segment

• Institutional and Library Policies
  Tracy Mitrano, Policy Advisor, Director of Computer Law and Policy, Office of the Vice President for Information Technology, Cornell University
  James Neal
  Gary Strong

• How Libraries Should Respond
  Tracy Mitrano
  James Neal
  Gary Strong
  Thomas Susman

• Question and Answer Segment

• Issues and Concerns

• Constitutional Issues – Tracy Mitrano

• Library Values – James Neal and Gary Strong

• Legislative Realities – Thomas Susman

• Question and Answer Segment

• Conclusion

• Post-broadcast Activities at Remote Sites