[Libs-Or] The Freedom to Read Protection Act (H.R. 1157)

[Wyma Rogers]

Book and Library Community Statement Supporting

The Freedom to Read Protection Act (H.R. 1157)
May 15, 2003



Our society places the highest value on the ability to speak freely on any
subject.  But freedom of speech depends on the freedom to explore ideas
privately.  Bookstore customers and library patrons must feel free to seek
out books on health, religion, politics, the law, or any subject they
choose, without fear that the government is looking over their shoulder.
Without the assurance that their reading choices will remain private, they
will be reluctant to fully exercise their right to read freely.
Section 215 of the USA Patriot Act threatens bookstore and library privacy.
FBI agents do not need to prove they have "probable cause" before searching
bookstore or library records: they can get access to the records of anyone
whom they believe to have information that may be relevant to a terrorism
investigation, including people who are not suspected of committing a crime
or of having any knowledge of a crime.  The request for an order authorizing
the search is heard by a secret court in a closed proceeding, making it
impossible for a bookseller or librarian to have the opportunity to object
on First Amendment grounds prior to the execution of the order.  Because the
order contains a gag provision forbidding a bookseller or librarian from
alerting anyone to the fact that a search has occurred, it would be
difficult to protest the search even after the fact.
The organizations listed below strongly support the Freedom to Read
Protection Act of 2003 (H.R. 1157).  Introduced in the U.S.  House of
Representatives on March 6 by Bernie Sanders (I-VT), H.R.  1157 strengthens
protections for the privacy of bookstore and library records. Law
enforcement officials will still be able to subpoena bookstore and library
records crucial to an investigation, but the courts will exercise their
normal scrutiny in reviewing these requests.
We applaud Congressman Sanders and the Democratic and Republican sponsors
and co-sponsors of H.R. 1157.  They have shown great courage by defending
civil liberties during a time of crisis.

Associations
Companies

American Association of Law Libraries
Alibris.com
American Booksellers Association
Barnes & Noble Booksellers
American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression
Books-A-Million
American Library Association
Borders Group Inc.
American Society of Journalists and Authors
Association of American Publishers
Association of American University Presses
Association of Booksellers for Children
Authors Guild
Children's Book Council
Comic Book Legal Defense Fund
Florida Publishers Association
Freedom to Read Foundation
Great Lakes Booksellers Association
Medical Library Association
Mid-South Independent Booksellers  Association
Mountains and Plains Booksellers Association
Mystery Writers of America
National Association of College Stores
New Atlantic Independent Booksellers Association
New England Booksellers Association
Northern California Independent Booksellers Assn.
Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association
PEN American Center
PEN USA West
Publishers Association of the South
Publishers Association of the West
Publishers Marketing Association
Southeast Booksellers Association
Southern California Booksellers Association
Special Libraries Association
Upper Midwest Booksellers Association