University of Massachusetts Dartmouth statement regarding Homeland Security library issue

["Richard M. Smith" <rms () computerbytesman com>]

12/19/2005

CONTACT: John Hoey, 508.999.8027

University of Massachusetts Dartmouth statement regarding Homeland Security
library issue

University of Massachusetts Dartmouth officials are investigating reports
that a student at the university was visited by officials from Homeland
Security after the student requested a copy of Chairman Mao's "Little Red
Book". UMass administrators have interviewed the student who has requested
that his identity be shielded, and the University is complying with that
request.

At this point, it is difficult to ascertain how Homeland Security obtained
the information about the student's borrowing of the book. The UMass
Dartmouth Library has not been visited by agents of any type seeking
information about the borrowing patterns or habits of any of its patrons and
did not handle the request for the book in question. The student has
indicated that another university library processed the request.

The UMass Dartmouth library has established policies for handling requests
under the Patriot Act and has taken every lawful measure possible to protect
the confidentiality of patron records.

The Library subscribes to the American Library Association Library Bill of
Rights and was a signatory to the MCCLPHEI (Massachusetts Conference of
Chief Librarians of Public Higher Educational Institutions) resolution on
the USA Patriots Act submitted to the Massachusetts Civil Liberty Union in
2003.

UMass Dartmouth Chancellor Jean F. MacCormack said, "It is important that
our students and our faculty be unfettered in their pursuit of knowledge
about other cultures and political systems if their education and research
is to be meaningful. We must do everything possible to protect the
principles of academic inquiry.''


Ann Montgomery Smith
Dean of Library Services
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Library voice 508-999-8664, fax
508-999-8987 asmith () umassd edu 
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