"Baseless Hysteria": The Controversy between the U.S. Department of Justice and the American Library Association Regarding the USA PATRIOT Act

Katherine K. Collidge, Bulkley, Richardson and Gelinas, LLP,

Abstract

Revised version of winning paper in 2004 Student Division competition.

Ms. Coolidge examines the controversy that developed in September 2003 between the Department of Justice and the American Library Association over provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act relating to library patron records.