USA Patriot Act and Libraries

Peter Chase and George Christian talked about their experiences in challenging a Federal Bureau of Investigation demand for library patron r… read more

Peter Chase and George Christian talked about their experiences in challenging a Federal Bureau of Investigation demand for library patron records. In the summer of 2005 a Connecticut library consortium called Library Connection received an FBI National Security Letter demanding patron information. The organization’s board decided to resist the order, and the case went to court, with the identity of the “John Doe” librarians kept secret. Because the FBI’s demand came with a gag order, the “John Doe” librarians could not tell anyone about it for eight months, including library staff, family members, or the media. The speakers responded to audience members' questions.

Ben Scotch, former director of Vermont ACLU, responded to a question at the end of the session.

The Vermont Library Association’s biannual John Swan Intellectual Freedom Lecture was titled “Gagged by the Government-Two Librarians Tell How They Resisted the USA PATRIOT Act.” close

Report Video Issue

People in this video

  • Trina Magi Chair Vermont Library Association->Intellectual Freedom Cmte.
  • Mara Saule Dean University of Vermont->Libraries
  • Lisa Von Kann President Vermont Library Association
More People

Hosting Organization

More information about

USA Patriot Act and Libraries

302 Views
Program ID:
197231-1
Category:
Public Affairs Event
Format:
Forum
Location:
Burlington, Vermont, United States
First Aired:
Apr 06, 2007 | 1:31pm EDT | C-SPAN 1
Last Aired:
Apr 09, 2007 | 6:35pm EDT | C-SPAN 2

Airing Details

  • Apr 06, 2007 | 1:31pm EDT | C-SPAN 1
  • Apr 06, 2007 | 9:51pm EDT | C-SPAN 2
  • Apr 07, 2007 | 2:25am EDT | C-SPAN 2
  • Apr 08, 2007 | 11:07am EDT | C-SPAN 1
  • Apr 09, 2007 | 12:13pm EDT | C-SPAN 2
  • Apr 09, 2007 | 6:35pm EDT | C-SPAN 2
Purchase a Download

USA Patriot Act and Libraries

  • MP3 audio - Standard
    Price:
    $0.99

User Created Clips from This Video