Thank you, Karen. I was just composing a wordier email making exactly that
same point.
Another thought -- if I plan to run amuck, I'll just get a fake ID. There's
no rational relationship between presenting an ID and keeping a building
secure. All it does it keep the mentally ill and homeless out.
I am all for metal detectors and tracking visitors -- I used to work in a
*very* open courthouse (this was before Robert Vance was killed) and we once
had an irritated defendant slash at a judge with a machete in the hallway.
But let's at least have some logical basis for giving up our personal
freedoms in the name of security (she writes pompously).
Debra H. Mack
Library Services Manager
Freeborn & Peters
311 S. Wacker Drive, Suite 3000
Chicago, IL 60606
312/360-6736
Fax 312/360-6575
dmack@freebornpeters.com
http://www.freebornpeters.com
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Karen H.Mahnk [SMTP:karenpdo@gate.net]
> Sent: Tuesday, November 02, 1999 10:00 AM
> To: folensbb@pepperlaw.com; CBILLING@lasc.org; law-lib@ucdavis.edu
> Subject: Re: Restricted access to public law libraries
>
> The problem is, public libraries were never intended as federal offices
> but
> local services to the public.
> The underlying question is ; how does identification of each patron
> ensure
> security? - Is an unnamed individual more of a security risk?
> Ie. once a person enters the building w/ proper ID, there is nothing to
> prevent that individual from secreting something dangerous & leaving w/o
> being detected.
> Is a picture ID required? Since the drivers license is the most common ID,
> nondrivers may be excuded unless they have acquired a seldom used
> "non-drivers" license or passport
> Most indigent have neither.
> Another aspect is the privacy issue - once identification upon entry is
> recorded, there can be legitimate concern over the patron's right to
> read/view materials w/ privacy.
>
> Karen Mahnk
>
>
> At 10:39 AM 11/2/1999 -0500, folensbb@pepperlaw.com wrote:
> >While federal buildings in DC are public buildings and open to the
> public,
> they require ID before you can enter and use the facilities. The security
> aspect outweighs the problem with denying access to information. They
> don't deny anyone access as long as you have ID. My impression is that
> the
> policies are long standing but I haven't had need to access such
> facilities
> until recently, so maybe somone else in DC remembers when the tighter
> security went into effect and if there was any attempt to contest it.
> >
> >Barbara Folensbee
> >
> >Barbara Folensbee-Moore
> >Librarian
> >Pepper Hamilton LLP
> >Washington, D.C.
> >202-220-1528
> >folensbb@pepperlaw.com
> >
> >>>> "karenpdo@gate.net" 11/02 9:30 AM >>>
> > Interesting - this can have serious implications if it catches on - but
> >isn't a "national identification" /(your "papers" when in public)
> >unconstitutional? - I would think/hope that this dies @ first challenge.
> >Karen Mahnk
> >
> >At 03:42 PM 11/1/1999 -0600, Carol Billings wrote:
> >>Our public/state law library is in the Supreme Court building--opening
> off
> >>of the main lobby right inside the building's front doors. The court
> has
> >>placed security guards on duty, and everyone entering the building has
> >>been required for the past few years to run their possessions through
> >>an airport-style x-ray machine and to walk through a metal detector.
> The
> >>court has just today instituted a new policy that requires everyone
> >>entering to show identification, sign in, wear a "visitor" tag while in
> the
> >>building and then sign out before departing. I just inquired of one of
> the
> >>guards what happens if someone wishes to use the library but does not
> >>happen to have identification with him or her. I was told that the
> person
> >>may not enter. Maybe I'm crazy, but I'm outraged! I have made the
> >>statement that I have never had to present identification to be admitted
> to
> >>any type of library. I would very much appreciate knowing whether any
> >>other public libraries have security restrictions that have the effect
> of
> >>limiting access. I would also like to know if any colleagues have
> access
> >>policies or know of instances where the right of access to public
> >>libraries or other public buildings has been tested legally. I'll very
> much
> >>appreciate hearing from you. Carol Billings, Law Library of Louisiana
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
> >
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> *****************************************************
> >This electronic mail transmission contains confidential
> >information intended only for the person(s) named.
> >Any use, distribution, copying or disclosure
> >by another person is strictly prohibited.
> >*****************************************************
> >
> >
> >
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