Newton Librarians Insist: FBI, Get a Warrant Before Seizing Equipment
When the FBI tried to remove computers from a Newton, Massachusetts, library, the librarians insisted on the FBI presenting them with a warrant before taking the equipment.
The Newton TAB gives a more detailed account.
Jessamyn has a bit about this situation, too.
Thanks for the link, Matt!
Addenda 2/7: Richard Cravatts, a Boston University lecturer, explores whether people give up their right to privaacy when using a public space for research in a Boston Globe editorial.
2/8: Two letters to the editor in The Globe counter Richard’s words. I especially like how Erika Tarlin, a librarian, responds. After explaining that librarians know much more than the Dewey Decimal System, she writes:
"In any event, should he himself ever need to be catalogued, I’ve got a spot for him on the shelf at 621.945. That would be the 620s for Engineering, 621.9 for Tools and Fabricating Equipment, and, specifically, 621.945 for Boring Tools."
2/9: The Chronicle of Higher Education explains the situation in detail in their February 10 issue.
2/19: Newton’s mayor and library director explain their actions in a Boston Globe editorial.
