🚀 go-pugleaf

Re the sanctity of library records, while this is supposed to be the
way it is, it is *not* always so unfortunately in states where there
is no law.

I recently participated in a workshop on ethics for librarians in a
large state.  One of the participants described a situation where
there had been a hit-and-run accident in the parking lot.  The cops
wanted the records of everyone who had checked materials out during
the preceeding 30 minutes.  The librarian initially refused, but was
overruled by her superior/local attorney general.  When I asked why
she didn't take a stronger stand (insist on a supoena for e.g. or leak
the story to the local newspapers), she said she was afraid of losing
her job or that a story in the papers would jeopardize the library's
funding.

Since most people seem to assume library records to be confidential,
in the absence of this (situation above), some notice to the public
would seem appropriate.

Mary Culnan
School of Business Administration
Georgetown University
MCULNAN @ GUVAX.GEORGETOWN.EDU