The Administrative Board of the Library of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Resolution on the USA PATRIOT Act and Related Legislation, Regulation, and Directives

Whereas the Library of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has a long and distinguished history of supporting the research and teaching of North Carolina students, faculty, staff, and other library patrons;

Whereas protecting the confidentiality of library users promotes the free and open exchange of knowledge and ideas;

Whereas the USA PATRIOT Act and other recently enacted laws, regulations, and guidelines increase the likelihood that the activities of library users, including their use of computers to browse the Web or access email, may be under government surveillance without their knowledge or consent; and

Whereas increased surveillance of these activities threatens civil rights and liberties guaranteed under the Constitution;

Resolved, therefore, that the Administrative Board of the Library of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill:

1. Strongly condemns those provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act, and of any other current or future legislation, regulation, or guidelines, that erode privacy, access to information, and Constitutional rights;

2. Opposes the use of government power to suppress the free and open exchange of ideas and published information;

3. Urges the Library of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to defend and support user privacy and free and open access to knowledge and information; and

4. Supports the actions of the American Library Association on its passage of the Resolution on the USA PATRIOT Act.

October 29, 2003