MELANET

Chronology of the legislation can be found at the websites of ALA (American Library Association) and the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union)

The text can be read at the EPIC (Electronic Privacy Information Center) website.

Organizations supporting the Patriot Act:
U.S. Dept. of Justice

Organizations Opposed to the Patriot Act:
ALA [American Library Association]
BORDC [Bill of Rights Defense Committee]
ACLU [American Civil Liberties Union]
EPIC [Electronic Privacy Information Center]
LII [Librarians’ Index to the Internet]

Current Status:
Petitions against Patriot Act at local and state levels

Some parts could sunset in 2005
(likely to be extended under Rep. administration and congress)

Newest push to limit information access:
Proposed intelligence reorganization bills, S.2845 and H.R. 10.

Ramifications on librarianship:
•Have had to reconsider policies on privacy (post signs, provide information on the Act, etc)
•Record management systems updated or changed by some libraries (so less information kept)
•Major new issue to monitor, activate against (time/attention required)
•New training on legal procedures (e.g. receiving subpoenas, etc.)

Ramifications on Middle East collections:
•New customs checks on invoices of foreign shipments
•Fewer international students to hire for copy cataloging
•Increased need to stay current on M.E. curriculum and program needs Self-censoring?

What a librarian should do when approached by any agency or law enforcement.