Grass Roots: Library checkout system opens patrons to scrutiny under Patriot Act. (Capital Times, 6/3/2011)
Excerpt: You might want to think twice about activating the "My Reading History" option on the updated computerized materials checkout system for the Madison Public Library. [Strictly speaking, it's not just Madison's "computerized materials checkout system". And the system, of course, does more than check out materials.]
Clicking "yes" to opt-in for the service means you'll have a handy record of what you've been reading if you need it. But the list of what materials you've checked out also will be available to federal authorities if they come knocking at the library door under the Patriot Act, the controversial anti-terrorist legislation rammed through a 9/11-stunned Congress in 2001 and quickly extended last week for four more years.
Not that you have anything to hide. The question is whether it's any business of the government what you've been reading.
All I can say is a reading history option would have been an instantly popular feature back in August 1994, when the 2nd-generation Dynix system went into operation.
Related article:
The LINKcat upgrade. (5/28/2011)
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