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Re: Questions that didn't used to be sinister
Bear
in mind that the LIBRARY's code of ethics does not apply to other
institutions. Here in NH, government can't ask a person "why" he/she wants
to see a record, but we certainly have the right to identify and/or record the
name of the person who is reviewing a record (including blueprints). What
if the record is stolen? (It's happened. Some years before I got here an
important document needed for a zoning case "disappeared" after "someone" had
reviewed the folder. The City ultimately lost its case.) Or damaged?
(It's happened. In Suffolk or Essex County, MA souvenir hunters were
cutting the names of Paul Revere, George Herman Ruth and others out of court
documents and land records.) I have no problem asking someone to sign out
a record; and then I will treat that request form as a "public record" as
well.
To me,
the issue is not whether or not to record "who" checks-out a particular item;
the issue is whether or not to release the "check-out" logs. I would not favor
treating LIBRARY (or school) check-out records as "public information," but
I do think that they should be maintained. Then let a Court decide whether
or not a particular situation warrants the release of that information at a
future point in time.
Paul R.
Bergeron City Clerk 229 Main Street Nashua, NH
03060 Telephone: 603/589-3010
Fax: 603/589-3029 http://www.gonashua.com/
In
a message dated 11/29/01 4:53:26 PM Eastern Standard Time, j.robins@ASAHQ.ORG
writes:
As I recall, the American Library Association code of ethics
expressly
prohibits censorship and promotes the privacy of library
users. In the
past, when the FBI wanted access to circulation
records to find out who was
borrowing certain titles, the ALA stood
firmly against it
Very interesting. Just a
few days ago in one of my RAIN postings there was a story in a Florida paper
that touches on this point. The librarian did provide user information. Will
try to find the posting.
Shortly after 9/11 I posited to someone else
that I suspected we would see a change in attitude concerning open access to
public records. We have, I believe, started to see this especially when the
records contain personal/private information.
I do believe that
citizens should have access to public records, but at some point access may
be/should denied for legitimate reasons
Peter A. Kurilecz CRM, CA
pakurilecz@aol.com
Richmond, Va