The article begins “From now on, whatever you check out of the Seattle Central Library will play in color-coded streams across six big plasma screens on the library’s fifth floor.” but don’t freak out, that’s actually not what happens. Read more about the new art installation in the Seattle Public Library’s main branch. Of the three other major artworks in the library, two aren’t working currently, they need new projectors. [thanks matthew]
Author: jessamyn
Alternative Media Day at Johnson State College
I know it’s a longshot, but if any readers are in the Vermont area and have next Friday the 23rd off, I’ll be one of the panelists at Johnson State College’s Alternative Media Day along with Seven Days’ journalist Cathy Resmer and a lot of other local bloggers and media types who I haven’t met personally. All events are free and open to the public, if a bit remote.
Call For Writers – library career topics
Priscilla Shontz is looking for people working in libraries and related fields to write short articles on what they do all day. She has a good line-up but is looking to fill a few more slots. Check the call for writers [posted via pasta, also available here] and see if you fit anywhere. I’ve written for Priscilla before and would gladly to it again.
hi – 11sep
Hi. Just for the curious, the Sargent Memorial Library is my original library and Shirley Warren is my original librarian.
Big USA PATRIOT Act News
The judge in the USA PATRIOT Act case in Connecticut [John Doe, et al v Alberto Gonzales, 3:05CV1256] has granted the plaintiff’s motion for preliminary relief [pdf]. Very interesting language in the opinion regarding the USAPA gag order provisions
Considering the current national interest in and the important issues surrounding the debate on renewal of the PATRIOT Act provisions, it is apparent to this court that the loss of Doe’s ability to speak out now on the subject as a NSL recipient is a real and present loss of its First Amendment right to free speech that cannot be remedied.
and later
The potential for abuse is written into the statute: the very people who might have information regarding investigative abuses and overreaching are preemptively prevented from sharing that information with the public…
and later
The defendants have failed to show a compelling state interest that is served by gagging the plaintiffs with regard to Doe’s identity. If the government’s interest is more broadly defined as preventing an unknown subject of the government’s investigation from learning of the government’s investigation, which would support a finding of a compelling interest, the gag provision as to Doe’s identity is not narrowly tailored to serve that interest.
Ashcroft’s “hysteria” remark winds up in the decision as well. The injunction is stayed until the 20th of September to give the government some time to appeal. [alacoun]