Resolution on Proposed Amendments to the USA PATRIOT Act
Resolution on Proposed Amendments to the USA PATRIOT Act
WHEREAS, at its 2003 Midwinter Meeting, the American Library Association passed a Resolution on the USA PATRIOT Act and Related Measures That Infringe on the Rights of Library Users; and
WHEREAS, the American Library Association holds that, in a library, the subjects of users' interests should not be examined or scrutinized by others; and
WHEREAS, the American Library Association affirms that privacy is essential to the exercise of free speech, free thought, and free association, the foundation of our democracy; and
WHEREAS, all the states and the District of Columbia protect the confidentiality of library records; and
WHEREAS, several bills have been introduced in Congress (such as H.R. 1157, H.R. 3352, S. 1158, S.1507, S. 1552, and S. 1709) that would amend sections of the USA PATRIOT Act to address concerns of librarians and library users; and
WHEREAS, legislation has been introduced in Congress (such as H.R. 3037, The Antiterrorism Tools Enhancement Act of 2003) that would further erode the civil liberties of the public, the privacy of library users, and congressional and judicial oversight of the implementation of the USA PATRIOT Act; and
WHEREAS, legislation that further expands administrative authorities to obtain records without a court order was included in the 2004 Intelligence Authorization legislation, without due deliberation; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the American Library Association supports proposed legislation currently in Congress that will amend those sections of the USA Patriot Act that abridge historic rights of library users so that those rights will be restored in full; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the American Library Association opposes any further initiatives on the part of the United States government to constrain the free expression of ideas or to inhibit the use of libraries; and, be it further
RESOLVED, that the American Library Association urges the United States Congress to oppose legislation, regulations, or other initiatives that threaten or further abridge the rights of inquiry and free expression.
Adopted by the ALA Council
January 14, 2004
San Diego, CA
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