Here are my questions:
* What was the amount of time between the viewing of the material and when the police came asking for records?
* How often does the library clear out the cache and history files of their public computers?
* What is the library’s policy on supplying such information to the police?
* Did the police have a search warrant, subpoena, or other legal document requiring the library to give up such information?
* I’m sorry, but one does not “find” child pornography in the library. You might use a library computer to access it but “find” implies that the library carried/offered it.
I’ll actually be in Iowa City in two weeks. I’m considering stopping by to see if I can find any answers to these questions (time allowing). If you know anything about this story I’d love to hear from you.
Michael Sauers is the Director of Logan Library in Logan, UT. Prior to this he was one of the founding staff and Technology Manager for Do Space in Omaha, NE. After earning his MLS in 1995 from the University at Albany's School of Information Science and Policy Michael spent his first 20 years as a librarian training other librarians in technology along with time as a public library trustee, a bookstore manager for a library friends group, a reference librarian, a technology consultant, and a bookseller. He has written dozens of articles for various journals and magazines and has published 14 books ranging from library technology, blogging, Web design, and an index to a popular horror magazine. In his spare time, he blogs at TravelinLibrarian.info, runs The Collector's Guide to Dean Koontz website at CollectingKoontz.com, takes many, many photos, and typically reads more than 100 books a year.
Unless otherwise stated, all opinions are my own and are not to be considered those of the City of Logan, UT.
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