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The City Council voted Wednesday to add Los Angeles to the list of 230 cities, counties and other government bodies opposed to parts of the USA Patriot Act, which President Bush called for extending in this week's State of the Union speech. The vote to oppose the portions that allow library records to be seized was 9-2. LAT, Daily News, Breeze.
Yawn. More of the same from a pack of ignorant officials desperately seeking relevance. At least empty gestures such as this distract City Hall from causing damage elsewhere.
Posted by: MexRep at January 22, 2004 01:31 PMFor more Privacy Act background, see links at http://journalism_jobs.tripod.com/privacy.html
Posted by: Big Brother at January 22, 2004 03:08 PMYou don't need photo ID for a library card. From LAPL.org:
Library Cards are free! There are no residency requirements! You must, however, have identification with your name and current address. Identification can be a driver's license or an ID card issued by the DMV. The Mexican Consulate ID card, Certificado de Matrícula Consular, issued by the Mexican Consulate can be used as the sole ID requirement for obtaining a library card.
If you don't have a driver's license or ID card, then present two of the following, one of which must have your current address: Printed personal check, credit card, rental or property tax receipt, or business mail with current postmark. If you are under the age of eighteen, identification is not required. Your parent or guardian's signature on the library card application is accepted instead of identification.
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The LAPL is really great about access, e.g. the facility to order library books online for pickup at the branch of your choice.
Posted by: Michael Turmon at January 23, 2004 01:24 PM
of LA Observed
At the L.A. Central Library, you used to sign up for the Internet access computers using (I believe) some form of ID. They've since changed that to require a library card. I asked one librarian why, and he said because people would try to get more time by presenting different IDs. "Is that for the patriot act?" asked I. No, came the answer, supposedly using a library card is less patriot act friendly than the other forms. Except I believe they require a photo ID to get a library card.
There are also computers there that have (I believe) Internet access that you don't have to sign up for. Those shut off after 15 minutes. They're also building a new computer center at the Central Library, so those who want WiFi and non-patriot-act-friendly access should contact them and let them know.
Posted by: Lonewacko at January 22, 2004 12:49 PM