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ALA Plans Patriot Act FOIA RequestThe American Library Association’s Executive Board intends to file a Freedom of Information Act request with the Federal Bureau of Investigation to determine if the FBI has been collecting information on the Association and its leaders as a result of their opposition to certain provisions of the USA Patriot Act.ALA OIF Deputy Director Deborah Caldwell-Stone said the FOIA request builds on the American Civil Liberties Union’s discovery of information that leads it to believe that the FBI has been scrutinizing organizations that advocate changes to the Patriot Act. The request would focus on activities relating solely to the Association’s advocacy concerning the Patriot Act. ALA President-Elect Leslie Burger said on the Council online discussion list that the issue came up during a November 17 Executive Board conference call regarding maintaining the privacy of the approximately 100 ALA members, including Executive Board and Freedom to Read Foundation Board members, who are being asked to submit privacy waivers as part of the request. “Office for Intellectual Freedom Director Judith Krug explained that the waivers are necessary in order to determine if the government is collecting information on specific ALA members and staff, and so that the government cannot deny the request on the grounds that it is overly broad,” Burger said. In order to address the privacy issues, the board has agreed that any information related to individuals who sign waivers will be sent directly to ALA counsel Theresa Chmara, who will handle the privacy waivers and the FOIA request under the protection of attorney-client privilege. Posted January 13, 2006. |
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