An ACLU Report

Spies in the Stacks

There is evidence that the FBI is using its surveillance authority to monitor activity in public libraries. In October 2002, the Library Research Center at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign conducted a survey of 1505 public libraries serving populations of more than 5000 people. The survey found that at least 178 libraries had been visited by the FBI. In addition, responding to a question from the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, a senior Justice Department official confirmed that the FBI has asked for or demanded information from public libraries:

We have made, in light of the
recent public information con-
cerning visits to the library, we
have conducted an informal
survey of the field offices,
relating to its visits to library.
And I think the results from
this informal survey is that
libraries have been contacted
approximately 50 times, based
on articulable suspicion or vol-
untary calls from librarians
regarding suspicious activity.

This response makes clear that the FBI has been monitoring activity at public libraries, but it does not indicate whether the FBI has used Section 215 in particular. The FBI has refused to say, and the gag provision prevents anyone else from talking. A question on the Library Research Center's survey. however, asked libraries whether they had declined to answer any question because they thought that they were prohibited by law from doing so. Disturbingly, fifteen libraries answered "yes."

importance to the American public, and to empowering Muslims in the United States through social and political activism. CAIR has chapters nationwide.

Second, the ACLU is actively urging Congress to repeal or amend Section 215. Bills to repeal or at least limit Section 215 have been introduced in both the House and Senate. Other proposed legislation would provide for increased public and Congressional oversight of PATRIOT Act powers. (See www.aclu.org/SafeandFree.)

Finally, as part of a growing grassroots movement, the ACLU is supporting coalitions around the country that are working to pass community resolutions opposing the PATRIOT Act. As this report goes to press, 142 communities in 27 states have passed resolutions opposing the USA PATRIOT Act, and dozens more are preparing to do so. Communities that have adopted resolutions range from the small, such as the North Pole, Alaska and Carrboro, North Carolina, to the very large, such as Philadelphia, Baltimore, Detriot and San Francisco. (For more on community resolutions, see www.aclu.org/resolutions.)

The strength of our democracy depends on our commitment to individual privacy, cquality, and freedom of expression. The ACLU is fundamentally committed to protecting those rights. We will not forget the surveillance abuses of the past, or allow a return to the mistakes of that era. We urge you to join us in this important battle for liberty.