You don’t mess with librarians.
You especially don’t mess with privacy-related concerns when it comes to libraries, apparently, as Jessamyn West has shown over at librarian.net. West has created some “technically legal” signs that librarians can post in their own libraries which notify patrons that their computer viewing habits may be monitored by the FBI.
The Patriot Act has been intertwined with the library system for quite some time now, as patrons’ checkout habits were being monitored for… well, reasons. (Ostensibly for “safety.”) Of course, with growing concern over national security, those boundaries for privacy have extended to patrons’ computer browsing habits. Since libraries often stand as sole providers of computer/internet access for many marginalized people, the monitoring of browsing habits mostly represents an infringement upon the liberties of those already marginalized by an overly-restrictive government.
The signs here are perfectly sarcastic and cheeky, and don’t be surprised if you see a few of them pop up in your local library.
You should definitely check out the full lineup of signs over at librarian.net. Also: I know we’ve got some librarians amongst our readers. Would you use these signs?
(featured image via Shutterstock/srilata)
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