Recently I needed to review the file of a (closed)
bankruptcy case in the C.D. Cal. The procedure is for
the clerk to take the *California* driver's license of
the patron as security.
I did not have a California driver's license. I had a
Quebec one.
Although it was clear that he felt he was going
outside the rules, after some discussion the clerk
agreed to take my passport as security while I
inspected the file and had photocopied what I needed.
I wonder what would have transpired had the clerk been
an officious work-to-rule sort of person.
Andy Grossman
University College London, SLAIS
--- Carol Billings <CBILLING@lasc.org> 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 archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Wed Nov 14 2007 - 20:50:12 PST