WHAT: Representative Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and library, bookseller and first amendment advocates to discuss the "Freedom to Read Protection Act," Rep. Sanders' legislation that would amend the Patriot Act to restore legal standards for investigations of libraries and bookstores to levels in place before the passage of the Patriot Act. The Patriot Act now allows the FBI to search their records without a traditional search warrant. This is the first legislation that has been introduced in the House of Representatives to amend the Patriot Act and is being supported by a nation-wide grass roots coalition of librarians, booksellers, privacy and civil liberties advocates and citizens.
WHEN: Thursday, May 29, 2003, 3:30 - 5:00 p.m.
WHERE: Koret Auditorium, Lower Level, San Francisco Main Library, 100 Larkin Street (at Grove)
WHO: Representative Bernie Sanders (I-VT) Bay Area librarians and booksellers
INFO: This program is co-sponsored by the California Library Association Intellectual Freedom Committee.
CONTACT: Marcia Schneider, 415 557-4252 (San Francisco Library Public Affairs Director) or Joel Barkin (Press Secretary - Rep. Sanders) 202 225-4115
Background: The USA Patriot Act, enacted in October 2001, gives law enforcement agencies authority to obtain library and bookseller patron records, to secretly monitor electronic communications, and prohibits libraries and booksellers from informing users of such requests. A growing number of local jurisdictions, including the City and County of San Francisco and other Bay Area libraries and cities, oppose this provision of the law. The Freedom to Read Protection Act is the first legislation that has been introduced in the House of Representatives that would amend the Patriot Act to restore legal standards for investigations of libraries and bookstores to levels in place before the passage of the Patriot Act. The Legislation currently has 96 bi-partisan co-sponsors.
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Marcia Schneider
Public Affairs Director
San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street San Francisco, CA 94102-4733
Phone 415 557-4252 Fax 415 557-4281