Other Reasons For Privacy

Most of the articles and news stories I have encountered about libraries and privacy have centered around "big issues" such as terrorism and crime prevention, especially related to the Patriot Act. But I think that it should be remembered that laws are not always used in the way their supporters intended. Is it possible that library records could be used against animal rights groups or other citizen activists who are not in favor with whichever administration is in power? 

I also wonder if there could be instances in which a couple divorcing could use library records against each other to gain an advantage is obtaining custody of minor children. Before you laugh, remember that in North Carolina and Virginia sodomy laws were used against people in divorce cases and in Texas, Florida and Georgia to deny jobs to gay applicants. 

Librarians have an obligation to protect privacy because the ethics of their profession demand it, regardless of circumstances. Lawful subpoenas should be handled by administrators and legal advisors with an eye towards protecting privacy to the greatest extent possible. Precedents can be very dangerous. 

Liberty and privacy or security?

A librarian presented with a request for circulation records can refer to the ALA's positions on the subject as a basis for formulating a response. David E. Woolwine has written a very interesting article which explores what sort of ethical arguementation should be employed by the ALA in arguing that privacy and the right to read is as important a part of freedom as is a vigorous defense against terrorism. While much of the paper debates Utilitarian ethics versus Rorty's liberal democratic defense of rights, the most interesting part to me was Woolwine's assertion that it is the role of privacy, free access to information and public dialogue in the creation of a particular type of individual that is most valuable to society. Institutions like libraries help provide the type of information and access to culture that is necessary to establish autonomous individuals who are self-expressive and able to give informed assent to their government. 

In fighting against laws such as the Patriot Act, librarians are providing as much defense to the "American Way of Life" as are the military and intelligence services.

Woolwine, D. (2007, September). Libraries and the Balance of Liberty and Security. Library Philosophy and Practice. Retrieved February 29, 2008 from http://www.webpages.uidaho.edu/~mbolin/woolwine.htm/span>