Readers, censors know, are defined by the books they read. In the aftermath of ii September 2001, the Congress of the United States passed a law, Section 215 of the U.S.A. Patriot Act, allowing federal agents to obtain records of books borrowed at any public library or bought at any private bookstore. “Unlike traditional search warrants, this new power does not require officers
to have evidence of any crime, nor provide evidence to a court that their target is suspected of one. Nor are library staff allowed to tell targeted individuals that they are being investigated.”156 Under such requirements, a number of libraries in the United States, kowtowing to the authorities, reconsidered the purchase of various titles
The Library at Night by Alberto Manguel
Bewildered Creatures 