Letters

As I read the results of the Library Research Center's privacy survey (News , LJ 2/15/03, p. 16), I heard the unmistakable ringing of warning bells…. Although the government enacted the USA PATRIOT Act to "protect" U.S. Citizens, one wonders which citizens they had in mind. The act calls into question a librarian's role in this increasingly suspicious society. Reading about the many patrons and librarians who reported suspected terrorist behavior and the shocking number who claimed staff felt "more suspicious of Middle Eastern patrons," I was reminded of the not too distant past when political propaganda seeped into the minds of otherwise sensible adults. During the Cold War, reputations and livelihoods were stripped from many innocent people in the name of protecting our nation. People tossed about the accusation of "Communist" as they now bandy about the term "terrorist"….

Librarians…are representatives of and spokespeople for the larger society, which includes all Americans. According to the Library Bill of Rights, we have a duty to provide equitable service to patrons, regardless of "age, background, or views." In the survey, only 5.5 percent said they would "definitely" challenge a court order for disclosure of patron information. Accepting such an obvious affront to the privacy rights of patrons without question sends a dangerous message to the public.

We should not ignore laws, but when we simply accept rules that are contrary to the fundamental tenets of the library philosophy without a fight, then we must seriously question the future stability of the institution.
—Andrea Mettert, MLS Student, Indiana Univ.–Purdue Univ., Indianapolis

I know people who have their MLS from good programs who are having a terrible time finding professional library positions. Academic, public, and government libraries are cutting their budgets with meat axes. People on search committees tell me they get hundreds of applicants for each position. There is clearly no shortage of qualified librarians. Why, then, are we trying to get more people to go into MLS programs (Michael Rogers, "Tackling Recruitment ," LJ 2/1/03, p. 40–43) to flood an already glutted market?
—Bruce A. Wilson, Charleston, WV

I am in total agreement with your editorial "Recruit New Librarians at Work " (LJ 2/1/03, p. 8). I'm working on my LTA at College of DuPage, IL, and am enjoying the program. As a staff member of the Manhattan Public Library District (administrative assistant), I can say that the program is increasing my understanding of the "library world." The director and library board are very supportive and allow flexibility in scheduling to coincide with class schedules. The board provides for our tuition. A more educated staff member provides better service to the patron.
—Noreen Bormet, Manhattan P.L. Dist., IL

Congratulations for selecting Raymond Santiago as Librarian of the Year (LJ 1/03, p. 44–46). An operating budget increase of almost $20 million in four years and planning 18 new library facilities demonstrate his extraordinary leadership. His ability to persuade Miami-Dade County, FL, officials of the great value libraries bring to building stronger communities is an inspiration to all library advocates.

In recognizing Santiago, you have honored the community that the Miami-Dade Public Library System (MDPLS) serves. The county covers almost 2000 square miles, has a population of more than 2.2 million, and is 58 percent Hispanic. MDPLS serves people from 170 countries who speak more than 130 languages.

How does Santiago do it? As he says, "The key is being aware of the political realities…. More than anything else I believe that service has to come first."
—Tom Sloan, Exec. Dir., SEFLIN Inc., Fort Lauderdale, FL

Nice editorial, John Berry ("Beyond Party Politics ," LJ 12/02, p. 8)! I wondered when I was on a "busperson's" holiday why there was such uniformity in the level of service in libraries across our country. Now I understand; it's because the "federal and state governments... came to agree that higher levels of government must...ensure that citizens in one jurisdiction have services as effective as those in another." Ouch! I just bit my tongue-in-cheek.
—David L. Cooper, Dir., Noblesville-Southeastern P.L., Noblesville, IN

Bravo, John Berry ("Beyond Party Politics ," LJ 12/02, p. 8)!
—Madison Mosley Jr., Dir., Law Lib., Stetson Univ. Coll. of Law, Gulfport, FL

Regarding the report "Ottawa PL Staffers Protest Net Porn " (News, LJ 3/15/03, p. 24), did anyone else think it ironic that librarians do not want to limit intellectual freedom so they allow their patrons to view porn sites at the library, but they don't see a problem with recording where they have been?
—Karen Gillespie, Grayson Cty. P.L., Leitchfield, KY