Last month Ohio library officials were surprised when officials removed from two libraries public documents that describe local plans for responding to hazardous materials spills and other chemical emergencies. In one instance the officials posed as patrons and told librarians of their intent to remove the documents only after the reference librarian retrieved the materials and handed the material over. At a second library, the officials showed up without prior warning and flashed badges when requesting the materials. In both instances, officials replaced the documents with a one-page letter indicating the documents are available through the county's Homeland Security Office to anyone showing proper identification. These documents have circulated in the public domain for years.
Perhaps more disturbing is the little media attention these raids -- and other efforts to limit or monitor library materials -- have attracted. The American Library Association reported on the events, but there was little media attention given to the action.
These government actions to restrict viewing of public documents can be intimidating to individuals and discourage members of the public from seeking public information. Library collections should not be swept clean of information; ignorance only allows the problems to fester and leaves communities no better for efforts of scientists, neighbors, reporters, and local officials to work together to make them safer. As the late Daniel Patrick Moynihan once wrote, "analysis, far more than secrecy, is the key to security."