Memorandum: USA Patriot Act

TO: Library Staff

From: Ray English, Director of Libraries

Date: February 28, 2002

Subject: USA Patriot Act

The USA Patriot Act, which was passed by the United States Congress and signed into law by President Bush in response to the events of September 11, gives the FBI expanded powers of access to educational and business records in investigations of suspected terrorist activity.

While it is unlikely that our library would be brought into an investigation, all library staff (and especially those who work in public services) should be aware of college procedures in such an event. The procedures is a follows:

1. Any FBI agent of other law enforcement official who asks for library patron records should be referred to the President's Office, which handles all such requests.
2. Staff should also notify both me and their department head about the request.
3. Staff should not turn over library patron records until the President's Office has reviewed the matter, and in all likelihood, sought legal advice from the college attorney.

Please also be advised that legitimate FBI agents or law enforcement officials will appear in person, present identification, and also show a court order or search warrant authorizing them to seek information contained in library records.

In some instances, it may be both improper or illegal to tell anyone else about the court order, other than those stipulated in our procedures, so staff are urged to follow the procedure carefully and not engage in any other communication regarding the court order or search warrant.

Please feel free to contact me if you have questions or concerns about this matter,

RAE/sla