Are Federal Law Enforcement Agents Reviewing Library Records?
American Library Association (ALA) announces preliminary findings of study measuring law enforcement activity in libraries Data shows law enforcement interest in library records The American Library Association (ALA) today (June 20, 2005) released the findings of a comprehensive survey demonstrating the significant impact on the public of federal law enforcement activity in America’s libraries. Based on the survey findings, ALA believes that public anxiety and librarian concern over law enforcement activity in libraries is justified. Survey results indicate a total of at least 137 legally executed requests by federal and state/local law enforcement in both academic and public libraries have taken place since October, 2001 — 63 legally executed requests for records in public libraries and 74 legally executed requests in academic libraries. ALA commissioned researchers to survey public and academic libraries to obtain information regarding the type of contact academic and public librari
