This document discusses privacy issues related to libraries in the digital age. It provides an overview of privacy laws in the US and how they relate to libraries. While the right to privacy is not explicitly outlined in the Constitution, many court cases have recognized this right. Most states have passed laws to protect library user privacy, though these laws often do not address new digital technologies. The document examines challenges to privacy from entities like the FBI and technologies like digital records, filters and reference services. It concludes with recommendations that libraries update policies to collect minimum data, limit access, inform users of policies and collaborate with vendors on security.

1. Privacy and Libraries in the Digital Age Bradley Shipps IST 618 Survey of Telecommunications and Information Policy November 5, 2007

2. Privacy laws in the United States A brief overview

6. Privacy in libraries Why is privacy important in libraries?

8. Legal protection of privacy in libraries

13. Librarians’ professional commitment to privacy

19. Legal challenges to privacy in libraries

28. Technological Challenges to Privacy

29. March 21, 2006 - FBI agents followed terror suspect Syed Ahmed into the Chestatee Regional Library in Dawsonville, Georgia. After Ahmed left the library, the agents accessed the browser history of the computer. The FBI agents did not have a search warrant. Syed Ahmed (AP)

30. “ The actions of the government agent, contrary to the policies and procedures of the library … violated the defendant’s reasonable expectations of privacy.” - Jack Martin, attorney for Syed Ahmed (Terror suspect, 2007) Technology allowed federal agents to bypass library policy….

31. Digital library transactions involve outside parties, such as software developers, database vendors, or Internet service providers. Existing laws and policies may not protect privacy of digital transactions. None of the existing state laws specifically discuss privacy of digital reference records. (Neuhaus, 2003)

39. Policy Recommendations

43. Works Cited American Library Association. (1988, July 13). Resolution in opposition to FBI Library Awareness Program (88.07.13 #77.4) . Retrieved October 21, 2007, from http://www.ala.org/ala/godort/godortresolutions/19880713153.htm _____. (1995, June 28). Code of ethics of the American Library Association. Retrieved October 19, 2007, from http://www.ala.org/ala/oif/statementspols/codeofethics/codeethics.htm _____. (2002, January 23) . Resolution reaffirming the principles of intellectual freedom in the aftermath of terrorist attacks. Retrieved October 13, 2007, from http://www.ala.org/Template.cfm?Section=ifresolutions&Template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=78173 _____. (2002, June 19). Privacy: an interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights. Retrieved October 19, 2007, from http://www.ala.org/Template.cfm?Section=interpretations&Template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=132904 American Society for Information Science and Technology. (1992, May 30). ASIS&T Professional Guidelines . Retrieved October 19, 2007, from http://www.asis.org/AboutASIS/professional-guidelines.html Fourie, D. K. & Dowell, D. R. (2002). Libraries in the information age: An introduction and career exploration . Greenwood Village, CO: Libraries Unlimited.

44. Works Cited, cont. International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions. (2002, August 19). The Glasgow Declaration on Libraries, Information Services and Intellectual Freedom . Retrieved October 20, 2007 from http://www.ifla.org/faife/policy/iflastat/gldeclar-e.html Merriam-Webster Online . (n.d.). Retrieved October 20, 2007, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/penumbra Neuhaus, P. (2003). Privacy and confidentiality in digital reference [Electronic version]. Reference and User Services Quarterly, 43 (1), 26-36. Rubin, R. E. (2001). Ethical aspects of reference service. In R. E. Bopp & L. C. Smith (Eds.), Reference and information services: An introduction (3 rd ed., pp. 28-46). Englewood, CO: Libraries Unlimited. _____. (2004). Foundations of library and information science (2 nd ed.). New York: Neal-Schuman. Terror suspect says FBI spied on his library computer use. (2007, October 11). The International Herald Tribune. Retrieved October 12, 2007, from http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/10/11/america/NA-GEN-US-Terrorism-Arrests.php