Are libraries still the bastions of privacy?
A few weeks ago, I received an email from a reader about what was going on his local public library in upstate New York. He reported that although the library’s stated policy was to allow people to use computers without producing a library card (they could request an anonymous user card for a computer session), some of the librarians were apparently insisting on production of the actual library card. Why, he asked, can we browse a library’s shelves and read books in a library without having to identify ourselves but have to identify ourselves just to browse on the library’s computers? Although his local board informed him that usage logs would be cleared each day, he was left with an uncomfortable feeling about the potential for abuse and by the inconsistencies in the way some library employees were insisting on production of library cards while others were not.
He raised some valid questions.
Today, there’s an article in the news from Little Falls, New York that highlights his concerns and is making me wonder whether libraries, who fiercely defended patrons’ privacy against abuses of the PATRIOT Act and National Security Letters, might have weakened their stance in some respects.
LITTLE FALLS — The use of the computers at the Little Falls Public Library will be off limits on Friday, as a new system for Internet and computer resources will be installed. Computer Access Software Solution, or CASSIE, will free library staff from handling certain computer management tasks, and safeguard utilization of the four computers available for public use.
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Beginning Saturday, library patrons will need their valid library card to be allowed to use the computers, and no longer will reservations be accepted. Rather, computers will be used on a first-come, first-served basis, Singer said.
Also, a revised set of policies will be instilled to prevent abuse of computer privileges.
Currently, usage of a computer in the library does not exceed one hour, and use is limited to once per day per patron, regardless of how long it is utilized, Singer said.
“This system relives the staff of having to watch over someone’s shoulder to monitor computer use and abuse,†he said. “Now, the librarian can use the main computer to check each individual’s computer use, ensuring that those in violation of the computer policies are warned. Sending a message to a user during their session, viewing the contents of a user’s screen and rebooting or shutting down a computer remotely are all benefits of using CASSIE.â€
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Singer said that unfortunately, sometimes that can mean asking repeat violators to refrain from computer use. There have been several incidents of inappropriate computer use, such as visiting sites with explicit or inappropriate content.
“There is a thin line that sometimes gets crossed,†he said. “There’s a difference between Victoria’s Secret’s website and Playboy’s website.â€
CASSIE is not a tracking system, he continued. Rather, it is, in part, a monitoring device per usage.
“Of course,†Singer said, “people have a right to privacy, but this a public library and these computers are public ones. Grandparents and children come here regularly, and private information should be used only on personal computers.â€
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CASSIE also ensures more accurate statistics about the library’s computer usage, such as how many people logged on and how often within each individual month.
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If I go to my public library to browse shelves or read books or journals, there are no statistics compiled about how often I am in the library and for how long. A program that compiles statistics that can be linked to an individual user’s identity is troubling, to say the least. CASSIE’s features include, “Optionally, you may specify that browser caches, cookies, bookmarks and favorites be cleared as well.” It would seem that if the library does not select that option, then they have the potential to track a patron’s entire usage each month. Add that to the feature that enables the librarian to remotely view the user’s screen at any time — apparently without the patron knowing — and it’s a troubling picture.
