1. EVOLUTION OF THE RIGHT TO PRIVACY WITHIN THE AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION: 1906-2002
Steve Witt, International and Area Studies Library Research Roundtable, November, 14, 2016

2. Article 11 ALA Code of ethics – “It is the librarian’s obligation to treat as confidential any private information obtained through contact with library patrons.” Code of Ethics persists and original language still guides profession in terms of privacy and intellectual freedom especially in terms of censorship It Created a normative framework around which the profession could react and advocate – this statement has largely gone unchanged Why did this appear when it did and why does anyone care?
The ALA Code of Ethics of 1938 and the Library Bill of Rights in 1939 serve as a touchstone in the role of librarians as privacy advocates. Described as a watershed event for Intellectual Freedom by noted library historian, Wayne Weigand, this event represents the coming of age of the right to privacy in libraries.

3. Measuring Privacy norms through Contextual Integrity
Nissenbaum’s theory proposes that benchmarks for privacy become evident through breaches in contextual integrity that are manifested in “indignation, protest, discomfit, and resistance to technology-based information systems and practices” (2010, p. 140).

4. Visualizing the Contextual Framework of Privacy with J-Stor data for research
Really? no events related to violations of privacy – there have to be….
Patriot Act
ALA Ethics
Govt. Programs
Architecture
THE RISE OF DATA
Articles with term “Privacy” in past century from ALA Published Journals

5. Sharp Contrast to the Use of Libraries for Surveillance Amidst Fear of Terrorism
Libraries protest potential snooping ; Patriot Act makes access to records too easy, they say Chicago Tribune [Chicago, Ill] 04 Apr 2003: 1.18.
1909 – Widespread fear globally about anarchist movement as threat to order – Haymarket Riots – Assassination of President McKinley – Challenge to Westphalian state system
2003 – Widespread fear globally about Islamic extremists as threat to order – Nairobi, Chechnya, Sept. 11, Challenge to democratic governance
On June 23rd 1909, the New York Times reported the revelation that “secret agents of the Russian government have under observation all libraries in the city, including the Jewish branches.” The spies: note persons who call for books related to anarchy or dealing with anarchist subjects. The homes, habits, and occupations of suspected Anarchists are learned and if the suspicions are verified a report is made to the Chief of the Russian Secret Service year old arrested for stealing German language books: translation of Jules Vern novel, “Around the World in 80 Days” and Pereze’s “Travels in Siberia.” The culprit had been closely watched by the Russian Agents, but, “the librarian became uncommunicative when pressed for more particulars concerning the espionage of the Russian agent…. The Russian agent is not known to persons other than the Librarian and his assistants.” This story was widely covered in national press with articles in LA, Atlanta, Cincinnati, Chicago, and Boston. No article raises concerns about libraries being used for surveillance. There is no record of professional response to this incident.

6. Back to the code of ethics: Why do things change in 1938 despite little evidence of evidence to privacy concerns?
Shift in Role of Libraries as social conscience emerges: Reaction to international rise of totalitarian states? WWI Libraries actively censor books on Germany – During WWII same librarians assert need to have books event titles like mien kampt
Technology not really a factor despite legal community’s concerns regarding the advent of film
Amidst Depression and Unemployment Librarians seek professional status such as Lawyers and Doctors - adopt confidentiality standards to be more professional
1937 – ALA Personnel division through committee on salaries & employment charges group to revise code of ethics
Aim to further professionalize field, increase pay, and may it more like law and medicine.