Feds drop demand for library records

STAMFORD, Conn. – Federal authorities have dropped their demand for records from a library computer – but not without warning the librarians who refused to release them that under other circumstances, their failure to cooperate “could have increased the danger of terrorists succeeding.”

The FBI said Monday it has discounted a potential terrorism threat that prompted it to seek records last year from a computer at one of 26 Connecticut libraries that are part of a consortium called the Library Connection.

Four librarians on the consortium’s board who received the demand resisted, which the FBI said slowed its work.

“In this case, because the threat ultimately was without merit, that delay came at no cost other than slowing the pace of the investigation,” John Miller, the FBI’s assistant director, said in a statement. “In another case where the threat may be real, the delays … could have increased the danger of terrorists succeeding.”

The American Civil Liberties Union, representing the librarians who received the demand for records, said the librarians might have been willing to comply had the demand been approved by a judge.

“I’m glad that we’re vindicated in resisting the request for the records,” said George Christian, of Windsor, Conn., one of the librarians who received a national security letter demanding the records. “We’re just protecting our patrons to the extent we can.”

The letter sought subscriber and billing information related to a computer used within a 45-minute time period on Feb. 15, 2005, when the potential threat was transmitted from a library computer.