[Infowarrior] - FBI seizes local Md. library computers

[Richard Forno]

FBI seizes local Md. library computers
August 3, 2008 - 9:41am
http://wtopnews.com/?nid=598&sid=1452848

The FBI removed computer records from the C. Burr Artz Library this  
week, a library official confirmed Saturday.

Darrell Batson, director of Frederick County Public Libraries, said  
two FBI employees came to the downtown Frederick library either  
Wednesday or Thursday. The agents removed two public computers from  
the library's second floor. They told him they were taking the units  
back to their office in Washington, D.C., Batson said.

Batson expected the computers would be returned early this week, he  
said.

Debbie Weierman, spokeswoman for the FBI's Washington field office,  
would not comment Saturday on whether the agency had removed records  
from the library.

This was the third time in his 10 years with FCPL that the FBI has  
come to the library seeking records, Batson said. It was the first  
time they came without a court order.

The library's procedure for such requests usually requires a court  
order, however after the agent described the case and the situation,  
he was persuaded to give them access, Batson said.

"They had an awful lot of information," he said, but he was not  
allowed to discuss specifics.

"It was a decision I made on my experience and the information given  
to me," he said.

C. Burr Artz Library has several dozen public computers. The agents  
seemed to know which ones they needed access to, he said.

Anyone with a library card and a PIN number can use FCPL computers.  
Without a library card, a person can get a temporary pass to go online.

Batson said the agents made no mention of Bruce Ivins, anthrax or Fort  
Detrick.

"Obviously it coincided with the events everyone is talking about," he  
said.

(Copyright 2008 The Frederick News-Post. All rights reserved.)
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The FBI removed computer records from the C. Burr Artz Library this  
week, a library official confirmed Saturday.

Darrell Batson, director of Frederick County Public Libraries, said  
two FBI employees came to the downtown Frederick library either  
Wednesday or Thursday. The agents removed two public computers from  
the library's second floor. They told him they were taking the units  
back to their office in Washington, D.C., Batson said.

Batson expected the computers would be returned early this week, he  
said.

Debbie Weierman, spokeswoman for the FBI's Washington field office,  
would not comment Saturday on whether the agency had removed records  
from the library.

This was the third time in his 10 years with FCPL that the FBI has  
come to the library seeking records, Batson said. It was the first  
time they came without a court order.

The library's procedure for such requests usually requires a court  
order, however after the agent described the case and the situation,  
he was persuaded to give them access, Batson said.

"They had an awful lot of information," he said, but he was not  
allowed to discuss specifics.

"It was a decision I made on my experience and the information given  
to me," he said.

C. Burr Artz Library has several dozen public computers. The agents  
seemed to know which ones they needed access to, he said.

Anyone with a library card and a PIN number can use FCPL computers.  
Without a library card, a person can get a temporary pass to go online.

Batson said the agents made no mention of Bruce Ivins, anthrax or Fort  
Detrick.

"Obviously it coincided with the events everyone is talking about," he  
said.

(Copyright 2008 The Frederick News-Post. All rights reserved.)
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