SCLA - - 2004 Annual Report

Year-end Report – 2004

Intellectual Freedom Committee
South Carolina Library Association

1. USA PATRIOT ACT

In 2003 the South Carolina Library Association took a stand opposing portions of the USA Patriot Act that allow the FBI to engage in the unimpeded surveillance of library patrons, threatening civil rights and liberties guaranteed under the United States Constitution and Bill of Rights. The Committee continued its efforts from the previous year in this regard. We worked in conjunction with the SCLA Board, our ALA Councilor, the SCLA Legislative Committee, the ALA Office of Intellectual Freedom, and the Washington ALA Office. During the spring the Committee coordinated the distribution of petitions at the state level urging our representatives in Congress to support legislation amending section 215 of the USA PATRIOT Act. Electronic petitions were sent to South Carolina legislators. In a meeting with Rep. Spratt and his staff during National Library Legislative Day, the congressman indicated his willingness to become a cosponsor of H.R. 3352, the Security and Freedom Ensured (SAFE) Act. The SAFE Act amends sections 215 and 505 of the USA Patriot Act. Subsequently Rep. Spratt declined to become a cosponsor due to wording in the amendment to section 505 (on which SCLA has not taken a stand). Nonetheless, it was refreshing to have a member of the South Carolina legislative delegation give serious consideration to such a measure. Later in the year both Reps. Spratt and Clyburn voted to amend section 215. The measure was defeated in a tie vote. Despite its defeat, we found this development very encouraging.

2. Intellectual Freedom Award

The Committee issued a call for nominations. However, no nominations were received.

3. Committee Composition for 2005

Melanie Lee (formerly Coombs) of Trident Technical College has agreed to chair for the coming year. Ed Merwin of U.S.C. Salkehatchie, Walterboro, and Steve Johnson of Clemson University offered to begin serving three-year terms.

Respectively submitted

Steve Johnson
Chair, SCLA Intellectual Freedom Chair
October 27, 2004

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News Calendar Membership Your Association Governance Jobs Legislation SC Libraries Contacts Awards Resources Updates Executive Secretary Gabrielle Barnes South Carolina Library Association PO Box 1763 Columbia, SC 29202 803–252–1087 scla@capconsc.com Light Blue Gold Green Seagreen Silverblue White Transparent powered by PmWiki	2004 Annual Report Year-end Report – 2004 Intellectual Freedom Committee South Carolina Library Association 1. USA PATRIOT ACT In 2003 the South Carolina Library Association took a stand opposing portions of the USA Patriot Act that allow the FBI to engage in the unimpeded surveillance of library patrons, threatening civil rights and liberties guaranteed under the United States Constitution and Bill of Rights. The Committee continued its efforts from the previous year in this regard. We worked in conjunction with the SCLA Board, our ALA Councilor, the SCLA Legislative Committee, the ALA Office of Intellectual Freedom, and the Washington ALA Office. During the spring the Committee coordinated the distribution of petitions at the state level urging our representatives in Congress to support legislation amending section 215 of the USA PATRIOT Act. Electronic petitions were sent to South Carolina legislators. In a meeting with Rep. Spratt and his staff during National Library Legislative Day, the congressman indicated his willingness to become a cosponsor of H.R. 3352, the Security and Freedom Ensured (SAFE) Act. The SAFE Act amends sections 215 and 505 of the USA Patriot Act. Subsequently Rep. Spratt declined to become a cosponsor due to wording in the amendment to section 505 (on which SCLA has not taken a stand). Nonetheless, it was refreshing to have a member of the South Carolina legislative delegation give serious consideration to such a measure. Later in the year both Reps. Spratt and Clyburn voted to amend section 215. The measure was defeated in a tie vote. Despite its defeat, we found this development very encouraging. 2. Intellectual Freedom Award The Committee issued a call for nominations. However, no nominations were received. 3. Committee Composition for 2005 Melanie Lee (formerly Coombs) of Trident Technical College has agreed to chair for the coming year. Ed Merwin of U.S.C. Salkehatchie, Walterboro, and Steve Johnson of Clemson University offered to begin serving three-year terms. Respectively submitted Steve Johnson Chair, SCLA Intellectual Freedom Chair October 27, 2004 Edit Page History Source Attach File Backlinks List Group Page last modified on January 25, 2005, at 12:51 PM