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This article discusses the protection of user privacy in the age of digital libraries in the U.S. The topic of privacy regulations is complex at best, but research yielded three key insights. First, there is a host of legislation at both the federal and state level that applies to the users' privacy issues. At the federal level, the Privacy Act of 1974, Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), and Children's On-line Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) are of interest to libraries. The Privacy Act of 1974 was passed in order to control the federal government's collection, use, and dissemination of sensitive personal information. FERPA is a law that requires educational institutions to protect students' privacy with regard to educational records, while COPPA prohibits Web sites from collecting personal information from children under the age of 13 without the consent of their parents. However, research suggested that this legislation is most pertinent to libraries. Second, the Library Bill of Rights and the American Library Association (ALA) Code of Ethics both have strong statements regarding libraries and a librarian's responsibilities to user privacy. The Library Bill of Rights implies that privacy needs to be protected by libraries. This is because users lose their freedom of inquiry if their privacy is not guaranteed. Furthermore, the ALA Code of Ethics makes a more direct statement regarding libraries and privacy: We protect each library user's right to privacy and confidentiality with respect to information sought or received and resources consulted, borrowed, acquired or transmitted. Third, beyond the legislative realm, libraries need to pay attention to privacy issues because they are part of the greater landscape of the Internet, and most commercial Web sites have some sort of privacy statement and policies.

Comments on a meeting of the board of trustees of the Kitsap Regional Library System in Bremerton, Washington. Expectation of the author that the meeting would be a venue for heated debate about the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA); Opinion that CIPA, which mandates that federally funded libraries implement Internet filters for public access computers, amounts to censorship; Events of the meeting, at which attendees were polite and generally supportive of the library's position on CIPA.

Describes the American Library Association (ALA)'s Midwinter Meeting, held in Washington D.C. in January 2001. Public awareness campaign which was unveiled by the ALA; Vote of the ALA to initiate litigation which challenges legislation mandating Internet filtering for libraries and schools, such as the Children's Internet Protection Act; Conference highlights and attendance; ALA sponsors and celebrity advocates.

The article presents the decision of the United States Senate to pass legislation renewing the United States PATRIOT Act. American Library Association president Michael Gorman disapproves the bill because it allows the government to secretly search records of library patrons without proof of suspected terrorism links.

Discusses the trial over the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Skepticism about the law; Background on the CIPA, which was challenged by the American Library Association (ALA) and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU); Previous attempts to stop Internet pornography; ALA's case; Library policies on filtering; Discussion of whether Internet filters are faulty; Confusion raised by both the law and the graphic materials on the Internet.

Informs that the American Library Association (ALA) has filed requests with the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regarding the federal government's Internet filter law. The law's connection to E-rate telecommunication discounts and Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds; The ALA's request that the law not go into effect until 2002, rather than 2001.

Reports on legislation being considered in New Jersey, Florida, and Pennsylvania regarding the use of filters to block certain web sites on public library computers. Details of the various bills, which would require the use of filtering software to block Internet content deemed objectionable, and require librarians to monitor the Internet activity of minors.

The article discusses the board of the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District (FVRLD) in Washington state and their vote to filter all library computer access for pornography. This would be a violation of the Children's Internet Protection Act which requires libraries to disable filters upon adult request. A case of security harassing adults for viewing Internet pornography in Montgomery County, Maryland is highlighted.

Reports that a divided U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments on March 5, 2003 about the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) of 2000, which has been blocked by legal challenges from the American Library Association and others. Specifics of CIPA, which would require that public and school libraries receiving federal funding for computers to filter all Internet terminals for material 'harmful to minors'; Arguments for and against CIPA; Overturning by the Supreme Court of the Communications Decency Act; Opinions of individual Justices.

Discusses the Freedom To Read Protection Act, which would exempt libraries and booksellers from certain provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act. Sponsorship of the bill by U.S. Representative Bernie Sanders; Specifics of the legislation; Efforts of cities nationwide to notify library patrons of the USA PATRIOT Act; Decision of the St. Louis Public Library in Missouri to change a policy that allowed a U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation agent to acquire patrons' computer sign-up sheets without a court order.

Reports that a survey by the Library Research Center at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, concludes that public librarians in the U.S. are divided over how to protect patron privacy. Number of respondents; Finding that fewer than ten percent of librarians have adopted or changed policies in response of the passage of the USA PATRIOT act; Percent of librarians who have voluntarily withdrawn materials that might be used to assist terrorists; Percent of staff members who had voluntarily given patron records and/or reported behaviors to outside authorities in relation to terrorism; Respondents who are suspicious of Middle Eastern patrons; Visits by federal and law enforcement officials to libraries after the September 11 terrorist attacks.

Focuses on a state law requiring most libraries in South Carolina to use Internet filters. Opinion of State Attorney General Charlie Condon; The state's adoption of a resolution to continue funding unfiltered libraries; Details on what the law requires; Observation that local libraries have not yet resolved how they will comply with the law.

Reports that a proviso in the 2001-02 state budget of South Carolina would tie Internet filtering to state funding for libraries. Possible impact on small libraries; Expectation that library advocates will attempt to have the filtering language removed from the budget.

Offers news briefs related to libraries in the United States as of November 1, 2000. Reopening of the Oviatt Library at California State University, Northridge, which had been closed since an earthquake in 1994; Tax cut which would limit the funds of libraries in Washington; Opposition of conservative groups to Internet filtering amendments to the bill H.R. 4577; Launch of a business publishing program, Stanford Business Books, at Stanford University Press.

Reports a decision that Georgetown Township Library in Jenison, Michigan should revert to an all-filtered access policy for the Internet. How House Bill 4191 prompted administrators to adopt a $100 policy for unfettered Internet access; Township officials declaring the law ambiguous enough to allow filtering; Concern of the American Civil Liberties Union.

The article discusses the author's experiences as the executive director of the American Library Association (ALA), and it mentions leadership, teamwork, and his work in helping to establish the ALA's Office for Library Advocacy. The dues associated with an ALA membership are examined, along with information about conference registration, professional advancement, and the ALA's efforts to protect the privacy rights of library patrons.

Reports on the passage of a law that will protect the circulation and registration records of library patrons in Wyoming.

The editor reflects on Internet filtering in libraries, with particular focus given to the impact of filtering in children's libraries. Connections are drawn between filtering and collection development and the effect of limiting access to information in libraries is explored. The editor also discusses problems connected to unfiltered Internet access, U.S. Supreme Court rulings on Internet filters in libraries, and the importance of developing polices concerning acceptable Internet use.

The article reports on a political debate between the Illinois Family Institute, which is pushing for a law to require filtering software on all public library computers in the state of Illinois, and the Illinois Library Association, which opposes the law. Eight libraries are reported to have shut off their internet services entirely in protest against the proposed law, which they believe is unnecessary and unduly burdensome.

The article discusses the 110th U.S. Congress, which convened for the first time on January 4, 2007. The culturally diverse Democratic-controlled Congress faces potentially divisive issues, such as the Iraq War, immigration reform, and education decisions. Libraries and information services may be affected by decisions on internet policy, telecommunications, and broadband deployment. The American Library Association (ALA) plans to support policies that will ensure Internet freedom and "network neutrality."

Reports on the plans of legislators in Montgomery County, Maryland, to propose a county law that authorizes librarians to ban disruptive patrons from library premises for 90 days or less as of May 1, 2004. Clause wished to be added by Stephen Block, an attorney from the American Civil Liberties Union, to the proposed bill; Reasons for the barring of patrons according to Harriet Henderson, director of the Montgomery County Library; Number of patrons who were asked to leave the library in 2003.

This section reports on several library products in the U.S. as of May 2004. Sirsi Corp. announced the launch of an original certification program for the National Information Standards Organization Circulation Interchange Protocol (NCIP). This product will enable third-party vendors to ensure that their NCIP-compliant products integrate with Sirsi systems. The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) announced the completion of an independent audit of IEEE Xplore usage statistics. The controls-based audit, conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, reviewed the accuracy of the count of portable document-format documents downloaded from IEEE Xplore. In a legislative session in 2004, the Utah state legislature amended Utah's existing Online Access of Public Libraries Act to make Utah libraries' state funding contingent on their installation of filters that block certain images on all public access computers. Those filters may be disabled, at the request of a library patron who is not a minor, to allow access for research or other lawful purposes. The Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition, announced that 51 members of the Oberlin Group of Liberal Arts College Libraries have become institutional members of the Public Library of Science.

Reports that the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has ruled, as of April 2001, that libraries which receive so-called e-rates must comply with the Children's Internet Protection Act in year four of the program. Details of the implementation regulations; Refusal of the FCC to take into account legal challenges.

Describes dual lawsuits filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and the American Library Association, to challenge the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) in the United States. Why they are opposed to the legislation, which requires federally-funded libraries and schools to install Internet filtering software; Contention of the lawsuits that such filtering can block access to essential information; Comments of plaintiffs and defendants.

Reports on the proposed bills that would let parents know what books their children are getting at the public libraries in the U.S. Reason behind the decision of Representative John Quinn to sponsor the legislation; Concern expressed by Reading Public Library Director Kimberly Lynn on the bills; Opposition of the State Bar of Wisconsin to the law submitted by Representative Sheryl Albers.

The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments March 5 on the constitutionality of the Children's Internet Protection Act. The law was overturned last year by a three-judge panel in Philadelphia because it forces public libraries that accept federal funds to filter Internet access for all users, even though its stated aim is to shield only minors from sexually explicit content. Representing the American Library Association and other groups challenging the law, attorney Paul M. Smith told the justices that filters violate the First Amendment because they erroneously block tens of thousands of nonpornographic Web sites that include useful information. Defending the law, Solicitor General Theodore B. Olson argued that filtering out Web sites is no different than declining to purchase books for a collection. Reports indicated the justices seemed skeptical of the challenge to the law.

A survey by the Library Research Center at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign shows that librarians are sharply divided over how to respond to law-enforcement requests for patron records. "Public Libraries and Civil Liberties: A Profession Divided" shows that only 49% of the 444 libraries asked by law enforcement to voluntarily provide information about patron reading habits and Internet preferences cooperated; the remainder did not. Only 10% of the 906 libraries that responded to the survey have changed patron Internet-use policies in response to USA Patriot Act provisions that simplify the process that allows agents to gain access to library records. The survey also revealed that in the past year federal and local law-enforcement agents visited 545 libraries to ask for patron records; of these, 178 were visits from the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). However, these numbers may be low because the act makes it illegal for anyone to disclose that a search warrant was served. Almost 60% of those polled said they thought this secrecy provision was an abridgement of First Amendment rights. Some librarians consider Internet sign-up sheets to be public records that do not require a search warrant.

Reports an action by the United States Justice Department defending the constitutionality of the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA). Views of the Justice Department about the role of librarians in providing access to the Internet; Delay in the enforcement of CIPA which gives libraries more time to decide whether to comply with Internet-filtering requirements.

Focuses on the effect on libraries of the Children's Internet Protection Act, legislation in the United States which requires libraries and schools that receive federal funding for Internet access to install filtering software. Integral role of technology and telecommunications in access to library information resources; Problems which the filtering legislation could create for library consortiums; Criticism of the role of the federal government in library funding and policy decisions.

Describes a federal law passed by United States Congress on December 15, 2000 which requires libraries that receive federal funding for Internet access to install filtering software. Decision of the American Civil Liberties Union to fight the law in court; Opposition which is expected from the American Library Association (ALA).

Presents news briefs regarding library-related issues in United States politics and government as of September 2000. Details of the Labor-Health and Human Service-Education Appropriations bill which mandates the use of internet content filters on public library computers; Details of the August 2000 hearing of the Commission on Online Child Protection; Librarians named to a National Academy of Science panel examining strategies for the protection of children from internet pornography.

Presents news briefs related to library legislation. Passage by the U.S. House of Representatives of the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991; Recommendations for fiscal year 1992 education and library funding that the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee made; Introduction of a bill establishing online access to public information through the Government Printing Office; Other news.