Library not happy about Patriot Act - WALB.com, Albany News, Weather, Sports

Library not happy about Patriot Act

May 29, 2003

Albany -- Part of the new homeland defense laws allows the F-B-I to look at the reading habits of library users. But the Dougherty County Public library does not keep records that would help law enforcement.

Dougherty County's libraries use the Pines state-wide filing system for their materials. Library director Mike Dugan says he will cooperate with anti-terrorist laws, but does not want people to worry that big brother is looking over their shoulder.

Dugan said "I think what you read is your business and nobody else. We're very supportive to an individual's right to privacy. But by the same token we will cooperate with law enforcement in anyway we can."

Dugan says the Dougherty County library does not have any books about making weapons, but they do have Internet capability. There are no logs kept on Internet sites visited on their computers.

posted at 4:23 by jimw@walb.com