Name Location For/Against

Philip Davis Acton, MA For

I am not a citizen that uses your library though I have spent mylife in New England. My sister lives in Fryeburg, ME, I lived in Acton, MAfor many years and grew up on Mount Desert Island on the coast of Maine. Iread an article today(http://personalliberty.com/first-library-support-anonymous-internet-browsing-effort-stops-dhs-email/)about how the Department of Homeland Security and the local police departmenthave initiated scare tactics about your joining the Tor project and allowingyour clients to have private access to the Internet and the Tor network. I'llagree that some use Tor for illicit purposes but many more use it for goodreasons like privacy and protection of communications. Most things can beused for good or evil, merely possessing a hammer can make you a carpenter ora murderer. A car is transportation but we all know that in the hands of adrunk can male it a weapon. Tor does not make you a criminal any more thanpossessing a pencil or typewriter makes you an author. Please resistknuckling under to the evil, privacy invading government departments that donot want any citizen to have the ability to use the Internet or even theirpersonal telephone or home computers privately. Let freedom exist in Lebanonand everywhere else around the world. Anonymous communication is a basictenet of freedom. Let us all enjoy it unhindered by those that would deny us.Best Regards. Philip Davis

Robert Rushton Brookline, NH For

have heard that the Kilton Public Library had been running a TOR relay fora period of time until the town was contacted by the Department of HomelandSecurity. I understand that DHS, via the local police department, emphasizedthe misuse of TOR, raising the question whether the library should remainengaged in this service. As someone who has run a TOR relay myself, I sharethe library's concerns regarding the use of the TOR network by criminals.

Any publicly available service will be used by both criminals and legitimateusers. But we do not shut down roads just because they can also be used bybank robbers and drunk drivers. The service that TOR provides is useful tomany people who value their privacy and to those who otherwise might be atrisk for retaliation by their governments. I believe that the benefitsprovided by this anonymization service far outweigh the problems resultingfrom its illegitimate use.

In fact, substantial funding for the TOR project comes from our owngovernment, specifically the Department of State and the Department ofDefense (2013 report). Our government finds it useful to support technologiesand services that enable those in other countries who may be at risk tocommunicate with the outside world safely. Unfortunately, not all of ourgovernment speaks with one voice on this, and DHS finds itself in conflictwith the idea of safe and secure anonymous communication.

I was proud to be a member of the community that supports TOR and thatprovides services to secure communications for people all around the world. Iencourage the Kilton library to resume running their TOR node and to supportfree exchange of ideas and knowledge worldwide.

I would be happy to discuss my experience running a TOR relay or any relatedtopic with representatives from the library. Please contact me via email withany questions, concerns, or comments.

Thank you for your attention.Rob Rushton, Brookline, NHMy PGP fingerprint is: 70B7 E36C 29AD A5CB C34B B9B9 EAB4 F0F8 9FE7 D519

Christen Ratliff California For

Hello!

I just read an article about what your library is doing/testing to helppreserve the civil liberties of our patrons. I am a student in Californiaand have nearly completed my Library Technician program with the aim ofworking in the library field. I think what you are doing is amazing. WhileI am not a member of the community you serve or likely ever to avail myselfof your services, I just wanted to write you and say how much I appreciatewhat you are doing. It's an unfortunate fact that someone always has to bethe first and feel alone, but you have, at the very least, my support.

Fight on.

-Christen

Devin BayerFormer LebanonResident For

Hi,

I grew up in Lebanon but I don't really follow local news anymore. HoweverI'm quite proud that a little library in my city has become an internationalnews item by fighting for something so important as anonymity on theinternet.

Stay strong!~ Devin

Tom HassettFormer LebanonResident For

As a former Lebanon resident and high school alum, I was proud to read thatLebanon Public Libraries were first in the country to set up a TOR relayunder the Library Freedom Project. I find it entirely appropriate that thelibrary implement such a technical measure to help protect first and fourthamendment rights. Therefore, I was saddened to hear that, followinginquiries from DHS via the police department, the relay was disabled pendingfurther discussion by the board of trustees.

DHS/police concerns that TOR can be used by bad actors should be dismissed.Of course TOR can be abused, but so can any number of other useful tools.Pointing to "pornography and drug trafficking" is transparent fear-mongering. TOR is an important tool, sponsored by the U.S. State Department, thathelpsprotect freedoms on-line. It is not a scary cyber-weapon designed by ISIS.

Freedoms come with costs: you have to fight to get them, you have to fight tokeep them, and sometimes people you don't like get to take advantage of them. If the cost of protecting our intellectual freedom and privacy is that lawenforcement finds it slightly less convenient to surveil some suspects, weshould be willing to pay that fee.

I urge the board to turn the relay back on.

Florian Pruetz Germany For

I think it was a really great step when you decided to support the TORnetwork with your library infrastructure. Don´t let anyone pressure you intonot supporting free speech and free actions!

Thomas Ploszaj Grafton, NH For

Dear Trustees,thank you for being the first to understand that New Hampshire citizens havea right to enjoy our privacy and live free. We have given up our freedom forso called security and we have now have neither.

I hope you as New Hampshire citizens, involved daily with the 1stAmendment,will grasp our Live Free or Die heritage and stand firm on providing a legalservice for your patrons until at least a court order suspends that service.There are things worst than death and blindly bowing to police oppressionover freedom may be one.

The American free library disappeared after 911 when libraries, if they wishto continue to operate, must turn over patrons reading lists under a gagorder from Homeland Security.I would hope that the trustees review again their initial reasons to allowthe use of Tor and determine if patrons would be allowed to use Tor, a legalform of internet use, or admit that we live in a police state and librariesmust operate under the permission of police enforcement even to utilize alegal internet access.

I understand you will be intimidated, harassed and threatened which is nowbecoming the norm when encountered by the police. I do not believe you areand I do not think the trustees believe they are part of law enforcement.There have been too many bills and comments of the judicial in the GeneralCourt that convictions should be made easier and due process be dismissed forefficiency and costs.

I never thought trustees in my community understood freedom and privacy nevermind actually discussing an item which would allows a shred of privacy backinto our institutions.Again I applaud you in your attempt and I understand that in the New Americaone can no longer take a stand for individual freedoms without beingreprimanded by government enforcement agencies.Thank you.Tom Ploszaj337 Main St Grafton, NH523-4090tom@tomploszaj.comP.S. This was my unedited first draft of from the heart. Please over lookmy grammar, spelling and ramblings.

Vincent Moore Hanover For

Good evening. I am a student and aspiring journalist at the Hanover HighSchool and I read about your efforts to support the Tor browser. I'm writingto ask if your board meeting on the 15th was open to the public so that Imay sit in and take notes/possibly record the decision process and if I mayask Mr. Sean Fleming a few interview questions regarding the wholesituation. I would plan on using the footage as well as some other to make ashort documentary piece on this event to air of CATV8 and my youtubechannel.Thank you for your time,Vincent

Danielle Kentucky For

I just wanted to applaud you guys for being the first library to usethe TOR browser. Freedom is slipping away more and more in our country andnone existent in other countries. This is a very important tool to helppreserve free speech for all man kind. I hope other institutes follow yourlead, I will be writing to the local library where I live in Kentucky. I hopeyou all vote to keep it running!

Kevin Craig Lancaster, NH For

I live in Lancaster, not Lebanon, but I believe that both freedom ofinformation and privacy in one's own thoughts and interests, are of interestto everyone in New Hampshire.

Please continue the TOR project, so that we can help spread it to other NewHampshire libraries.

Thank you.

Annie Silverstein Lebanon, NH Against

Hi Sean

Saw the article today in the paper. Only my opinion but I agree with the police on this. I am concerned that peoplewill use our space to access the Internet for criminal activities.

Especially and maybe because today is 9/11 I feel strongly that anonymous use of the Internet is a problem andhaving the library available with these tools in our world today would definitely handicap homeland security andpolice enforcement.

Please consider this. We live in a dangerous world. I realize others may disagree and want to protect their privacyat all cost, but in my opinion anything we can do to stop criminals will in the end make our world safer.

Thanks Sean!

You know I always felt that kids should not be able to take out videos that were clearly marked PG and R butlibrarians didn't believe in "censorship". Personally I think we should believe in common sense. Take care andhave a great day. My opinion doesn't always rule the day!

Annie Silverstein

Sent from my iPhone

Carl Porter Lebanon, NH For

I regret that I will be unable to attend the Board of Trustees meeting onSept. 15 as I have another obligation, could this message be read at themeeting?

I am unsure of why there has been an uproar over anonymous web browsing atthe Kilton Library. If there is concern over the computers being used forillegal or nefarious purposes, I believe that the concern is misplaced. Yes,anonymous browsing does allow for certain activities to occur online thatcannot be accounted for. What is being forgotten is that this web browsing ishappening in a public place. The chance that someone would be so foolish asto do something illegal on a public computer in a public place is very slim.This concern would make more sense for instances of anonymous web browsing ona private computer in a private place. The fact that law enforcement agenciesare getting concerned about this is laughable. Don't they realize that thelaws created to restrict certain actions are only heeded by those who alreadyfollow the law? Those who wish to act illegally are going to do so regardlessof the law and in places where they will not be so easily caught.

Respectfully,

Carl N. PorterLebanon Resident, Ward 3

Carla Gericke Lebanon, NH For

I will be attending the meeting tomorrow evening, but wanted to write as wellin support of the library KEEPING the Tor node. I grew up in the police stateof South Africa during the apartheid era, and am thoroughly disillusionedwith the direction America is taking. This sort of intimidation tactic issomething you would see in a totalitarian state like the one I am from, wherebooks where banned, people's actions were monitored, and where we feared thegovernment at every turn, never knowing what the next thing would be thatwould be censored or what would make us subject to warrantless suspicion,supervision, and possible arrest . It is only a matter of time before thiscountry devolves into a true police state. It might seem like a trivialmatter, it might seem like it's easier to acquiesce to the DHS's demands, butyou are a front line in the fight to retain our freedoms and our right toprivacy. Free people should be able to read what they want without beingmonitored and without fear of the government. Founder father, ThomasJefferson said it best: "When government fears the people, there is liberty.When the people fear the government, there is tyranny."

Please fight back on this issue and helped to stop tyranny andtotalitarianism. Our freedom depends on it! Thanks for your consideration.

Best regards,Carla Gericke

Cody Lebanon, NH For

Hey there,

I would like to help you with your recent pause of the Tor relay project.Please contact me.

Thank you,Cody

ElizabethNestler Lebanon, NH For

I support using Lebanon's library computers as Tor nodes.As someone on Propublica's Facebook page commented: "I wonder if thegovernment would be so quick to infringe on the rights of individuals if yousubstitute "guns" for "Tor"? As in, "The use of guns is not, in [or] ofitself, illegal and there are legitimate purposes for their use. However, theprotections that guns offer can be attractive to criminal enterprises oractors and HSI [Homeland Security Investigations] will continue to pursuethose individuals who seek to use them to further their illicit activity."--Elizabeth Nestler, 31 Wellington Circle, Lebanon, NHhttps://act.eff.org/action/support-tor-and-intellectual-freedom-in-libraries

This is a 4 page letter explaining why Tor is important and refuting some ofthe arguments Homeland Security and law enforcement have put forth. I hopethe trustees will read it.https://libraryfreedomproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Kilton-Letter.pdf

Lee Sussman Lebanon, NH For

To whom it may concern,

I recently learned of the Library Freedom Project and the inspiring news thatthe Kilton Library was taking the step to lead the way as the first libraryto participate, and the unfortunate news of the program's halt due topressure from the DHS and local Police and government. As a resident ofLebanon, I couldn't be more proud of our town for deciding to participate inthis and to stand up for the personal freedom of people everywhere, and atthe same time I couldn't be more disappointed in our elected representativesfor caving to the DHS and pressuring for a cease to the project.

I am writing because as a Lebanon resident I would like to express my fulland complete support for the LFP and for the Kilton Library's involvement,and would like to inquire if there are any ways in which I can show mysupport before the upcoming vote on the 15th? Any information you could giveme would be appreciated.

I truly hope that as a city we can get past the short-sighted and reactionistsentiment that led to the halting of the project, and see that this is achance to lead the nation as a role model, demonstrating that our state motto"Live Free or Die" is more than just words and that we value the liberty andfreedom of people the world over.

My sincere thanks,

-Lee Sussman

Petra Lebanon, NH For

As a resident of West Lebanon, I would like to give my support to the runningof the TOR server. I hope the board of trustees decides to turn it back on.It's the right thing to do for so many reasons.Thank you.

Rebecca Shapiro Lebanon, NH For

Dear Lebanon public libraries:I am a graduate student and member of the Dartmouth Trust Lab, a computersecurity research lab in Dartmouth's computer science department. We alllive in the area and (a few of us live in Lebanon), and have been discussingthe recent news regarding your Tor project while wondering how we could help. Some of us have worked with the Dartmouth administration so that we couldset our own Tor node, although we are working through some technical issuesso it has not yet been setup. Please let me know if there is any way we canhelp or merely show our support for your Tor project.Thank you.

Jonathon Proulx MA For

Hello Sean,

My name is Jonathan Proulx. I'm the Sr. Technical Architect at MIT'sComputer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab (CSAIL) where I'vebeen running TOR relay and exit nodes for most of the past 12 years orso. This has been a personal project of mine with the knowledge andconsent of my employer, but I should be clear that I'm speaking onlyfor my self and not MIT.

I imagine you've heard the ethical and philosophical arguments for andagainst TOR rather a bit more than you might like at this point, so Ishan't repeat them. Obviously I am in the 'for' camp.

I would like to share my practical experience of running and exitnode. As you are likely aware 'exit' nodes are where all the trafficexiting the TOR net work appears to come from and where all thecomplaints about bad activity on the network go to.

In all my years I have only receive one single request for informationabout traffic exiting my node from Law Enforcement (relating to creditcard fraud). At one point more than 1% of all TOR traffic was exitingthrough my node, this has decreased as the network has grown and I'veneed to scale back our donated bandwidth. It appears this number isdown to 0.03% now but even at that I have greater than 300 activeoutbound connections. That's quite a large number of users over theyears to result in only one actor bad enough to bring Law Enforcementattention. We do get smaller complaints from private individualsabout port scans or copyright violations but even those tend toaverage only 1 or 2 per week (we get more complaints that related tobroken computers on our network than we do from the TOR node).

Simply put based on the complaints I've heard over a long period as aTOR exit node operation the 'evil' uses of TOR are vastly overstated.

If you have any questions I'd be more than happy to talk further butfor now I feel I've taken enough of your time.

Thanks,

-Jon

Randy Clemens Manchester, NH For

Thank you for supporting internet privacy! Please don't kowtow to the federalgovernment's unfounded fearmongering. Their vested interests in controllingand monitoring our every move is NOT appreciated. (Any books they'd like youto burn while they're making requests?) Thanks for standing up for individualrights and inspiring others to do the same. You are a beacon of liberty!Thank you thank you thank you!

- Randy Clemens -Manchester, NH resident

No Name Sam Maryland For

Greetings from Maryland,

I recently read an article in ProPublica via the Freedom of the PressFoundation about your issues concerning the use of a TOR relay at yourlibrary. I applaud your efforts to stand up for your patrons right to accessinformation privately and anonymously as well as providing protection topersons around the world. But what moved me the most was the last line of thearticle, which quoted director Flemming and stated: “There are otherlibraries that I’ve heard that are interested in participating, but nobodyelse wanted to be first,” he said. “We’re lonesome right now.”

YOU ARE NOT ALONE! So many of us who champion the people's right to privacystand united with you and applaud you for doing what is right. It is my homethat all libraries around the world will host TOR nodes, to make the internetsafer. Yes, it can be used by criminals, but so can guns, so can cars, so cananything. Even the simple act of mailing a letter via the post office holdsan equal amount of risk and even as much privacy in most cases (criminals usethe mail to send encoded messages since a warrant is required to open mail).I hope you prevail in your efforts and urge you to not give up the good fightand know you guys are not alone.Thank you for your time,No Name Sam

Justin Reich Massachutsetts? For

This article was recently circulated on the mailing list of the BerkmanCenter for Internet and Society at Harvard University.https://www.propublica.org/article/library-support-anonymous-internet-browsing-effort-stops-after-dhs-email

I wanted to take a brief moment, in a personal capacity, to thank you andyour colleagues for taking up this courageous and ground-breaking effort.Whatever comes of the project (and I hope it takes root and grows), this kindof innovation in the future of library services and free inquiry is laudableand important.

With all best wishes,Justin Reich

Ritchie Wilson Michigan For

Mr. Fleming, Mr. McAndrew, and the Rest of the Library Community,

Please turn your Tor relay back on.

By now, I'm sure you know how important Tor can be for protecting rightsonline. You've heard from groups like the Library Freedom Project and theElectronic Frontier Foundation, who can it explain the practical benefitsbetter than I can, so I will leave that to them.

Instead, my plea to you is personal.

I want you to run your Tor relay because I run a Tor relay. And whatever youcan do to support the Tor project makes it easier for me and others like me.No doubt, we have many of the same reasons to support Tor, and unfortunatelywe might confront some of the same risks – like public controversy orunwanted attention from police. It seems like most Tor operators can work onthe project indefinitely without facing the scrutiny you've run into, butstill we all have to consider, plan for, and sometimes deal with those samehazards.

The public controversy you've run into is at a level I probably will neverencounter as an independent Tor operator. Still, it can be a controversialsubject when I mention Tor to friends and family, especially if all they'veheard is that it's mostly used by criminals. Sometimes it's an uphill battleto convince people of all the good done by the Tor project, but that is madeso much easier when there are large institutions that support Tor. I canpoint people to my school, the University of Michigan, which also runs Torrelays. When I first read about the Library Freedom Project last fall, I wasexcited that there might soon be libraries I could cite as positive examplesof Tor operators. These simple examples make it so much easier for people tosee Tor for what it is. You can help re-frame Tor from something nefarious tosomething which lets people read privately without anyone digitally leeringover their shoulder. Your Tor relay can help change conversations, bothgenerally and the ones I literally face day to day.

Then there is the risk of unwanted attention from the police, which, again,seems rare but obviously does still happen. Knowing this, I still take therisk and run a Tor relay on my own. I'm willing to do this, in part, becauseI assume I'm better situated than most to bear that risk. I know thetechnology, I know the law, and I know who to contact if there's ever anytrouble. In truth, that protection may not amount to much, but it still makesme far less vulnerable than many Tor users around the world, so I'm willingto use my relative privilege to help others. At the same time, though, I'mreally counting on larger organizations to do the same for me. Your libraryhas plenty more technical resources than I do, plus special legal privilegesand explicit support from lawyers at the Electronic Frontier Foundation. Ineed you to used your relatively privileged position to help me. Because ifyou give in to police pressure, I have to reconsider just how vulnerable Iam. Regardless your decision on Tuesday, I will keep recommending Tor topeople, but maybe I'll have to be more cautious about it. And I will keeprunning my Tor relay, but maybe more fearfully.

So when Tor comes up for discussion again on Tuesday, I hope you all rememberthe reasons you voted to run a relay in the first place. I hope you alsoconsider that some of us other Tor operators are anxiously watching thisunfold.

Lastly, I expect you have been getting pressure from all sides on this issue(including my own kind of heavy-handed letter here), and in the midst ofthis, I have to thank you for taking on this project in the first place.Whatever happens Tuesday, it's wonderful that your library saw the importanceof this work and were willing to try to help, so thanks.

Ritchie Wilson

Billie-JeanGreene Nashua, NH For

I support Tor relay, not only Kilton Library, but all of our libraries acrossNH. We need to protect intellectual freedom. Let us not back down, but pushforward. I urge the board to vote for Tor relay on September 15th.

Thanks in advance,Billie-Jean GreeneNashua, NH

Aaron New Hampshire For

Thank you! In the Information Age—which has produced unprecedented accessto informationand mass surveillance—librarians are eager as ever to help theircommunities betterunderstand and protect their privacy and intellectual freedom. Across thenation and around theglobe, librarians are working with the Library Freedom Project (LFP) to makereal the promise ofintellectual freedom in the digital age. LFP, along with our partners theACLU and the TorProject, provides privacy trainings for library communities, teaching peopletheir rights under thelaw, and how to find and use free and open source, privacy protectivetechnologies. Thanks togenerous funding from the Knight Foundation, LFP has over the past year rundozens of privacyworkshops for libraries of all sizes across the United States.

You are not alone in this fight! New Hampshireites cares about their privacy!

Joel Cox New Hampshire For

I just wanted to say that I hope the Tor service at the KiltonLibrary is restarted soon. I understand there was pressure to turn it offfrom the DHS and/or city government, but it is exactly this sort of pressurethat libraries need to be able to ignore if they are to fulfill theirmission. I live in another part of New Hampshire, but I was proud for mystate that a library here was pioneering digital freedom in this way.

Brian Hunt North Adams, MA For

Hello all,I read about your situation on boing boing today.http://boingboing.net/2015/09/10/library-offers-tor-nodes-dhs.html I want to congratulate you folks on your far sighted support of privacy andTOR.While I'm not a direct patron of your library I wish I was.Good luck and best wishes.Brian HuntN.Adams, MA

Jonathon Proulx Pennsylvania For

To Sean Fleming - While you may be one of the first Library organizations tooffer public browsing via the Tor engine, please know that you shouldn't feellonesome! I strongly encourage you to petition your Board of Directors toreinstate the project for the good of your community! Ensuring that the FirstAmendment is not trampled into oblivion by fear and intimidation is of theutmost importance. The illogical argument that it should be banned because"criminals can use it" cannot be allowed to prevail over common sense thattells us criminals will always find a way, regardless of the means.

Thank you SO much for introducing your community to this wonderfultechnology. Being in the spotlight for such a noble cause may obviously bringa lot of unwanted attention but please keep in mind it's leaders likeyourselves, and initiatives like this, that help to preserve the rights wedeem protected by the Constitution of the United States of America.

THANK YOU!

Scott Campbell Seacoast For

Sean, I applaud your efforts. Along the same lines, I installed DuckDuckGo as the default browser on my PCs lastyear. Have you done this? Keep fighting the good fight!

Best,Scott

Rob Hagopian Sunapee, NH For

Thank you for supporting the Tor exit relay. Libraries are a fundamentalproponent of free speech and support like yours, like bodies as the StateDepartment does, are critical components. Considerations (e.g. to lawenforcement, etc) are legitimate but can be managed in a sensible manner.

Rob M Hagopianc/o 69 Rolling Rock Rd Sunapee NH

Andy Wood Unknown For

You know what books and TOR have in common, they can be used for good or criminal activity. Perhaps youshould pack up all your books and put them in a storage locker.

Tell the DHS I said HI, and suck it!

Anonymous Unknown Against

Hello,

As per your publicly embarrassing Tor issues (and may other events in thepast): Chuck is not adequately educated in the realm of computer science tobe making such bold decisions. As a second example, Chuck "plays" with Linux,and you need a Linux Admin. He at least needs some peer review in some of hisinane choices: A technical board, perhaps? His internal approval is obviouslymaintained by non-technical types who don't understand the larger impact ofsome of his choices.

Get someone with a computer science degree.

Anonymous Unknown ForSo you guys put the tail between legs..... because cops dont likeTor?

Bill Jones Unknown For

Hello, I just want to express myself about the library and it's decision tostop using "Tor" . Being with 'Reporters Without Borders" I find greatweakness on your part to be intimidated by your local law enforcement. Youall should close the public library or resist this sort of intimidation.Intellectual freedom is the right of every individual to both seek andreceive information from all points of view without restriction. It providesfor free access to all expressions of ideas through which any and all sidesof a question, cause or movement may be explored. Intellectual freedom is thebasis for our democratic system. We expect our people to be self-governors.But to do so responsibly, our citizenry must be well-informed. Librariesprovide the ideas and information, in a variety of formats, to allow peopleto inform themselves.

Intellectual freedom encompasses the freedom to hold, receive and disseminateidea's. Censorship is the suppression of ideas and information that certainpersons—individuals, groups or government officials—find objectionable ordangerous. It is no more complicated than someone saying, “Don’t letanyone read this book, or buy that magazine, or view that film, because Iobject to it! ” Censors try to use the power of the state to impose theirview of what is truthful and appropriate, or offensive and objectionable, oneveryone else. Censors pressure public institutions, like libraries, tosuppress and remove from public access information they judge inappropriateor dangerous, so that no one else has the chance to read or view the materialand make up their own minds about it. The censor wants to prejudge materialsfor everyone. Censorship occurs when expressive materials, like books,magazines, films and videos, or works of art, are removed or kept from publicaccess. Individuals and pressure groups identify materials to which theyobject. Sometimes they succeed in pressuring schools not to use them,libraries not to shelve them, book and video stores not to carry them,publishers not to publish them, or art galleries not to display them.Censorship also occurs when materials are restricted to particular audiences,based on their age or other characteristics.

Who Attempts Censorship?

In most instances, a censor is a sincerely concerned individual who believesthat censorship can improve society, protect children, and restore what thecensor sees as lost moral values. But under the First Amendment to the UnitedStates Constitution, each of us has the right to read, view, listen to, anddisseminate constitutionally protected ideas, even if a censor finds thoseideas offensive. How Do Censors Justify Their Demands That Information BeSuppressed?

Censors might sincerely believe that certain materials are so offensive, orpresent ideas that are so hateful and destructive to society, that theysimply must not see the light of day. Others are worried that younger orweaker people will be badly influenced by bad ideas, and will do bad thingsas a result. Still others believe that there is a very clear distinctionbetween ideas that are right and morally uplifting, and ideas that are wrongand morally corrupting, and wish to ensure that society has the benefit oftheir perception. They believe that certain individuals, certaininstitutions, even society itself, will be endangered if particular ideas aredisseminated without restriction. What censors often don’t consider isthat, if they succeed in suppressing the ideas they don’t like today,others may use that precedent to suppress the ideas they do like tomorrow. Nolibrary can make everything available, and selection decisions must be made.

Selection is an inclusive process, where the library affirmatively seeks outmaterials which will serve its mission of providing a broad diversity ofpoints of view and subject matter. By contrast, censorship is an exclusiveprocess, by which individuals or institutions seek to deny access to orotherwise suppress ideas and information because they find those ideasoffensive and do not want others to have access to them. There are manyobjective reasons unrelated to the ideas expressed in materials that alibrary might decide not to add those materials to its collection:redundancy, lack of community interest, expense, space, etc. Unless thedecision is based on a disapproval of the ideas expressed and desire to keepthose ideas away from public access, a decision not to select materials for alibrary collection is not censorship. The presence of any particularmaterials in a library collection does not imply endorsement of the ideasexpressed in those materials. The library is simply doing its job as aneutral provider of information from all points of view—if the library“endorses” anything, it is your right to have access to a broad selectionof materials. If you don’t find materials to your liking, ask yourlibrarian to help you! We will place your library on our list of suppressedfreedom institutions until further notice. Regards, Bill Jones, ReportersWithout Borders

Birk Larsen Unknown For

Please don't back down from the good your local community library isproviding with the TOR node/service. DHS, police, and many other "authority"figures really don't understand what TOR is or provides, and simply feelthreatened by it's presence, as do many international "authority" figures inoppressive regimes throughout the world. It is a beneficial service for freespeech used by millions worldwide. Thanks to the Patriot Act and subsequentfear-based legislation, our ability to freely pursue knowledge through ourlocal library systems is continually threatened. Please continue what youhave started and reinstate the services you have suspended. Thank you forwhat you do and what you provide!

Bryan Unknown For

I'd like to suggest you turn back on the tor project you started. Irealize the concern that it may be used by criminals, but with anything goodcomes bad uses. Airplanes are great because they greatly reduce travel timeespecially over long distances, but look at how they were used an 9/11. Toroffers a great privacy service to customers and the public that allows themto browse the internet anonymously, however of course, people can also usethe service for criminal activities. To be honest, if we didn't allowsomething good because it could be used in a bad way our world would bevastly different... No computers (hackers), no cars (hit and runs), nosmartphones (apps tracking your location), no pens (you could stabsomeone)... and the list goes on. Shutting it down for good would be theequivalent of saying "we don't want you reading any books unless we know whatbooks your reading... because we want to know if you're reading anything thatmight link you to criminal activity."

Chandler Thomas Unknown For

Hi, I know you are reconsidering the use of the Tor network. Iunderstand there are many concerns with people misusing the system, and thoseconcerns aren't wholly unfounded. I would like to show my support of usingthe Tor system. The Tor system is not illegal, and while it can be misused(as any useful product can be) I believe that privacy, free speech, and theknowledge that one is not constantly under scrutiny are ideals we shouldprotect, and support. I would, of course, understand if the task of being thefirst library to do this was simply too arduous, but I do hope you considerturning it back on. Thank you for your time.

Charles Unknown For

If, instead of "use of a Tor browser..." HSI had said "First Amendment to theUnited States Constitution...", would we quit providing it; I think not.Please don't back down.

"“The use of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution is not,in [or] of itself, illegal and there are legitimate purposes for its use,”Neudauer said, “However, the protections that the First Amendment to theUnited States Constitution offers can be attractive to criminal enterprisesor actors and HSI [Homeland Security Investigations] will continue to pursuethose individuals who seek to use the anonymizing technology to further theirillicit activity.”"

Chris Gagne Unknown For

Hello,

I read about the cancellation of your Tor exit node in the Pro Publicaarticle, here:https://www.propublica.org/article/library-support-anonymous-internet-browsing-effort-stops-after-dhs-email

I am very sorry to hear that you were badgered by the DHS. Please do notbow-down to them. Tor is supported by the State Department and is critical tohelp maintain liberties worldwide. If it were not for Tor, politicalactivists would not be able to operate as safely.

We are edging closer to "1984" and "A Brave New World" every day. I applaudyou for having created the Tor exit node in the first place. I hope you willstand up for liberty and restore operations in the future. It is true thatsome criminals use Tor, but it is also true that criminals use guns and takeadvantage of other constitutional liberties, too. That is no reason tocircumvent those liberties.

Warmly,

Chris Gagne

Chris Lopez Unknown For

I condemn the scare tactics of the DHS and local police, and pledge my fullsupport to Kilton Library to help you keep your Tor relay. This library hasthe right to support and use this powerful tool for digital free expressionwithout fear of government bullying.Don't let law enforcement fearmongering give way to cold feet about running aTor relay—because this software helps support privacy and intellectualfreedom. You have my support behind this important privacy-enhancing project.Thank you!

Chris Meister Unknown For

It is important for the sovereignty of the people of Lebanon and NewHampshire that their right of access and privacy in a public library toexchange and research information not be infringed by any entity eitherwithin the state of New Hampshire or outside of the state.

Chris Murphy Unknown For

I saw that the Board will be discussing TOR, and just wanted to point outthat the Center for High Assurance Computer Systems of the U.S. NavalResearch Laboratory was instrumental in creating this technology.

Here is what their website looked like in 2005 http://www.onion-router.net/ -Note the header reference to US Naval Research Lab.

Yes, many criminals use this technology.

One of the most common crimes committed is called free speech in countrieswhere free speech is a crime.

Also, a few other technologies that should be abandoned due to widespreadcriminal use...emailtelephonesautomobilescomputersflashlightsknivesguns - 2nd Amendment is sacred. The 1st Amendment is not so much.

Thank you for helping the cause of free speech.

It can be difficult sometimes to know in which direction the correct choicelies.

All I know is that I fear silencing free speech.

More TOR nodes means more people living in dangerous places can have theirvoices heard.

We must help them.

Thank you,

Chris Murphy703-727-1613

David Garland Unknown For

Thank you for having begun running a Tor node. Services like that areessential not only to the citizens of NH, but of the US and the world atlarge, and it seems to me that public libraries are uniquely qualified tooperate them.

It is unfortunate that there are those who hate the idea of not being able tospy on their fellows, whether for good or ill (we regularly see stories aboutabuses and even crimes committed by various security agencies, whether localor national, things that few prosecutors have the courage to tackle).

I don't use Tor much myself, but having it available is a safeguard to thefreedom of people worldwide. Of course it is true that bad actors can alsouse it, just as they can breathe the air, drive on the roads, and drink milk.That is unfortunate, but is one of the risks of having a free society.

I hope the Library Board will stand tall and have the service restarted. Asthey say, "Live Free or Die".

Denis Goddard Unknown For

New Hampshire famously and overwhelmingly opposed the Real-ID program, whichwould have ostensibly increased safety, at the expense of a little privacy,by linking all state drivers licenses into a federal database. At that time,our legislature and our Governor very intentionally and publicly said "no" toa $3 million federal grant, and to all the scare mongering that Washington,DC could muster.In the balance between privacy and perceived security, New Hampshireoverwhelmingly chooses privacy.We support freedom of speech and privacy online, no matter what scare tacticsare leveled against us.Let New Hampshire show the way. Let the Lebanon Public Library stand for NewHampshire principles.Thank you

Ellen Gitomer Lebanon, NH For

Dear SeanBravo to you and the trustees for making Lebanon the first to use Tor in the library. Even not knowing where thisissue will land, we couldn't be prouder of your trailblazing. To us, this epitomizes the forward thinking that shouldcharacterize our efforts. Best, Ellen and Will

Sent from my iPhone

Greenville Wilson Unknown For

Hi,

You don't know me, but I read about your plans to run a Tor relay and how lawenforcement involvement made the board of trustees nervous enough to considerpulling out. I just wanted to thank you for taking the time and effort tooperate a relay, and to encourage you not give up the fight. Tor is animportant tool for dissidents living under a number of regimes, and eachrelay (either intermediate or exit) helps keep the network alive. Keep up thegood work!

Yours,Grenville Wilson

Jared Higgins Unknown For

The Feds will absolutely have to tear that Tor server from your colddead hands before they unplug it. I thank you, patriots and saints at LebanonLibraries, for fighting the good fight for freedom of speech.

Jeremy Kauffman Unknown For

Hi Sean,

I wrote a letter to the editor regarding the Tor controversy. Alison from the Library Freedom Project suggested thatI pass it on to you. It's below. Thanks for all you do; I'm sure this brouhaha is eating up a lot of your time!

- Jeremy

P.S. There could be an opportunity for the library to raise money from the larger tech community that cares aboutthis issue.

Officer Matthew Isham Claims the Kilton Library Supports Terrorism. He's Wrong.

In America, it can be easy to feel that freedom of speech just is, like a physical law of nature. Unquestionable,omnipresent, incontrovertible.

But history tells us this is not the case. In reality, the struggle for the freedom to voice an opinion requires constantvigilance. Vigilance against people like Matthew Isham of the Lebanon Police Department.

A few months ago, the Library Freedom Project got together with the Kilton Library to set up a Tor node. A Tornode is a computer program that facilitate anonymous communication online by accepting and forwarding data.

In response, the Boston Department of Homeland Security, in conjunction with the Lebanon Police Department,leaned on the library to shut it down. They claimed the library was supporting terrorism and criminals.

Can Tor be used by criminals? Absolutely. So can a knife. But when a criminal uses a knife, we don't go after theknife manufacturers. We go after the criminals. The Lebanon Police Department chose to go after the knifemanufacturers.

The ability to communicate anonymously is essential to a free society. When Thomas Paine published CommonSense in 1776, he did so anonymously. Would the pamphlet that helped spark the revolution ever have beenwritten if he had to put his name on it?

Anonymous communication is no less vital today. It is used in dozens of countries with oppressive governments. Itwas used by the reporters who broke the news that our own government has been spying on our calls and emailsfor years while lying to us about it.

When the Kilton Library set up a Tor node, they may not have realized they were part of an endless strugglebetween those who believe in freedom and those who would control us.

When they vote on Tuesday whether to continue running Tor, I hope they choose freedom. And I hope morelibraries join them.

Jim Allyn Unknown For

Just read an article about you using TOR on library computers. Iheartily approve, and hope you will vote to turn TOR back on. I'm going totalk to my local library about this!

John Byrnes Unknown For

: I am a school librarian writing to thank you for your efforts forpatron privacy and to wish you the best of luck and thoughtful reflection asyou consider installing a relay to help patrons retain theor private webidentity. The work you are doing is important.

John Waterman Unknown For

Hi,

Anonymous Browsing.You know exactly why we need it.You know exactly why they want it stopped.You won't be free until you resist.You are an American library?

Larissa King West Lebanon For

Hi there,

I just wanted to drop you a note in support of the Tor relay in the Kilton Library. I believe that libraries should beconduits for the free flow of information, and I hope you'll decide to turn the service back on.

Whatever the outcome, I will be following the conversation with great interest and will continue to support thelibrary.

With best wishes,-Larissa

Louis A Kislik Unknown For

(Perhaps my message to you has been received when I mishit a key and it gotsent before I finished)

I have known of Tor for many years and have downloaded it. I don't use itbecause for my purposes I have found there are many other ways to surf theinternet without my email address being known. I consider it most unlikelythat someone with evil intent would go to your library when staying at homecan provide the same anonymity. On the other hand, I commend the library forproviding a way for its users to protect their privacy from most web sitesgrabbing hold of information about a surfing visitor. That's the problem,not Tor. If our police and government see Tor as so dangerous why don't theyshut it down? Because our constitution won't let them, thankfully. If wesuccumb to fearing the Boogieman around every corner we have given up thefreedom and liberty that makes the United States the great place it is. Sickto your guns, Lebanon Libraries!

Mark Harmon Unknown For

I agree that people should be allowed to learn and communicate freely withoutoppression. We are all born with inalienable rights, that means we have themat birth, not because our government grants them to us. We have the right tolook up medical conditions anonymously, to communicate with others withoutgovernment oversight and to be left to our own devices, as long as we arefollowing the law and not infringing on the rights of others. The possibilityof tor being used to commit a crime is not a good enough reason to restrictit's use, especially when so many lives are enriched with the knowledge thatcan be found there.

We live under the constant watchful eye of big brother and that has achilling effect on people, it makes people afraid to seek out informationthat could possibly be used against them, or that they are embarrassed of.I'm not talking about criminals, but the normal everyday people. I hope thatfree speech and anonymous research are not taken away from the good peoplethat visit your library. Good luck.

Regards,Mark Harmon

Matt Flyer Unknown For

Dear Sir or Madam:

This morning I read about your library being the first to stand up forinternet privacy and becoming part of the Tor network(http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2015/09/first-library-to-support-anonymous-internet-browsing-effort-stops-after-dhs-e-mail/). Unfortunately, some actors in our illustrious government decided it wasnecessary to play the FUD (Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt) card pointing outthat someone may try to use the Tor service to commit illegal acts.

The fact remains that privacy is a right and it is one that is mostdefinitely worth fighting for. The govt. spying and domestic surveillance isnot only illegal (despite their claims to the contrary because they wish itto be so) it is just plain fundamentally wrong.

I urge the library board of trustees to turn the service back on and standfirm in the understanding that their initial unanimous decision to join theTor network was most definitely the correct one.

Max Hilgren Unknown For

Dear Board of Trustees,

Allowing a TOR relay on your network helps thousands and thousands of globalcitizens communicate and exchange ideas when great forces work to prevent thefree flow of information and ideas. Libraries have been checks against theseforces for thousands of years.

Please continue the tradition of fostering the free flow of information andideas by allowing a TOR relay to operate on your network. There is noliability for doing so, so why wouldn't you? So what if criminals use tor?Criminals also use our public infrastructure and utilities. Should we rip upall the public roads so criminals can't travel?

Anonymity and freedom of expression are at the core of the founding of thiscountry. Imagine if the pamphleteers of the Federalist Papers were outedearly on? Do not kid yourself that the fight against forces that wish thesilent dissent is over,

-- Max Hilgren, citizen of the Internet.

ps: my email is valid and works despite its appearance.

Michael Wood Unknown For

To the staff at KPL,You were and should continue to do the right thing by protecting people'sprivacy in the face of an increasingly overbearing national securityapparatus. I personally congratulate you for your courage and hope that theattempts by DHS to chill your efforts do not succeed.

I would also point your team towards the idea of Instant System Recovery (AKABoot-to-restore) that allows you to ensure that your public access systemsremain clean (ref: free from malware/spyware) and productive with a simplerestart of the computer with one notable alternative in the space whichincludes a privacy browser based on TOR and the FireFox browser with specificprivacy related add-ons included:

QuietZone: http://www.returnilvirtualsystem.com/QZ features: http://qz.returnilvirtualsystem.com/features/QuietZone on-line user's manual: http://qz.returnilvirtualsystem.com/support/

Nathan Metheny Unknown For

Hello;

I'm writing to encourage you to seriously reconsider the position regardingthe capabilities of utilizing an anonymous Internet proxy, namely Tor, foryour patrons.

There have been a lot of personal freedoms and behavior that have beenrestricted if not outright eliminated due to events in the past two decadesthat were and are outside of the control of the public. The service that youwere attempting to offer your patrons is valuable in protecting the patron'sidentity, as well as encouraging their freedom to research and investigateany topic or interest safely within your library system.

The concept of "protecting people from what they might do" has been used toofrequently and too often to further restrict personal freedoms and theability to investigate any topic in the past. Having the DHS and your localpolice department react the way they do is, in my opinion, an overzealous andlikely fear-invoked response that there are elements that they need tosafeguard against to "protect" the public. This is fear mongering, and if wewere to follow that concept to other areas (as ridiculous as it might seem),we may get conclusions such as:

- People should not have drivers licenses due to the possibility that theywill engage in reckless or criminal behavior.- People should not be out at night past a certain hour due to the increasein the possibility of a criminal interaction.- People should not use encryption with their personal or confidentialcommunications because potential criminals may do so in order to engage inthat behavior.

Et al.

I do hope that your board of trustees is able to see the parallels betweenthese. Protecting people from what they might do may seem like a noble causefrom the outside, but when you start limiting what people feel "safe" inresearching or investigating, you are essentially censoring their ability touse a library for its intended purpose.

Thank you very much for your time, and consideration.

Patrick Henry Unknown For Live Free or Die -- or is that the other state?

Paul Hindes Unknown For

Your leadership is inspiring and gives me hope. It is appropriatethat libraries again take the lead in affirming freedom of thought. Those whowould oppress us are weak; please stay strong.

Paul Whitson Unknown For

Mr. Sean Fleming & Library Board of Trustees:

I support you in your effort to provide internet privacy to Kilton Librarypatrons.

Cordially,

Paul Whitson

Peter Vinton Jr Unknown For

Library web-surfing should be private and anonymous as the DEFAULTsetting; patrons should naturally expect itMessage: If law enforcement is unable to articulate the precise LAWS that arebeing broken by permitting patrons to browse the web anonymously (beyond avague "we just don't like that" sentiment), then the Tor anonymous web serverneeds to be turned back on forthwith, with neither apology nor explanation.Our state motto is 'Live Free Or Die,' not 'Live In Accordance With What ThePolice Would Prefer.'

Randy Kelsey Unknown For

My understanding is the board unanimously decided to use Tor in order to"protect patrons' rights to explore new ideas, no matter how controversial orsubversive, unfettered by the pernicious effects of online surveillance."(from the Library Freedom Project).It sounds like you decided to [temporarily] shut it down because the policedepartment feels it could be used by people to commit a crime. It's the jobof law enforcement to try and prevent crime as well as to go after those whocommit crimes and it seems natural that they would like to make that effortas easy as possible. But you're a library, not a police department and youhave a different role in the community.

I can't think of any tool or service that couldn't be used to commit a crimebut it's not the role of a manufacturer or service provider to build intotheir product a way to make law enforcement's job easier. I don't believeit's a library's role to do so either.I've always associated libraries with the idea of freedom of information,basically a force for learning and the exchange of ideas. How would giving into this request be different than denying patrons the right of access tocertain books if law enforcement felt someone might use the information tocommit a crime? I think it would be a mistake to take on the role of being anarm of the police.

I use Tor for almost all of my browsing. Not because I'm online committingcrime, but because I know all Internet traffic is monitored even though weall have a right to privacy. It's not up to law enforcement agencies todecide what privacies we have and it doesn't mean we're criminal if we decideto exercise that right. What's the point of having constitutional rights ifwe become a suspect by using them?

I salute your effort and hope the board decides to provide a non-intrusiveway to access the Internet.

SincerelyRandy Kelsey

Rich Heim Unknown For

I would like to thank you for considering the Tor browser for LebanonLibrary.As far as I am concerned unwarranted surveillance is a form ofillegal activity.

Ron Helwig Unknown For

Please don't cave in to fear mongering and restore the TORfunctionality. The right to privacy is precious and it is proper that thekeepers of knowledge (libraries et al) also support that right.

Roy Camp Unknown For

Just wanted to show my community support for your hosting of tor. Guns,cellphones, cars and planes are all used by criminals to shoot innocentpeople, traffic drugs and conduct illegal activities, yet we don't see lawenforcement outlawing any of those. Help protect free speech and the right toprivacy by reinstating your tor servers.

Thanks for being a leader of the public libraries to pioneer this.

Russell Senior Unknown For

As someone who is interested, like libraries, with intellectualfreedom and the freedom to read and think, I want to encourage your Board tosupport the resumption of the Tor relay that I understand was recentlyhalted. Concern from police does not close the road network becausecriminals sometimes use roads. Neither should important privacy enhancingtechnologies be shutdown because criminals might also use it. We needn'tlive in a police state, where all infrastructure is bent to the convenienceof law enforcement and authority, and important institutions like librarieshave a significant role in protecting their patrons from that fate. Thanks.

Ryan Schwark Unknown For

Are you open to talking to other entities that run tor nodes or justother libraries? I have been running a tor node for most of a year with noissues.

Shane Wagner Unknown For

I would like to believe that said library is a private institutionand DHS would not have any jurisdiction over said institutions until there isa harm or proof of harm becoming an issue.

Tim Saylor Unknown For

I wholeheartedly support the Kilton Library's Tor relay project. Librariesare a place for learning and freedom from censorship, and Tor helps peopletrapped under repressive governments learn about censored topics and safelydistribute information their government doesn't want spread.

Criminals may use Tor, but people willing to break the law have other meansof communicating while hiding their identity that law abiding people won'tuse. Fear of criminal activity is a weak argument against running a Torrelay.

Running a Tor relay is a freedom of speech initiative and a humanitarianeffort, and your project is to be applauded. I hope you will reactivate itsoon.

Travis McCrea Unknown For

Hello,As background: I am a cyber security contractor, I provide securityconsulting to large brands and develop strategies to help ensure peopleoperate legally but also protecting their intellectual property.

I am a major advocate of the TOR protocol, I am aware that you guys arediscussing the future of TOR on your library computers and I want to stronglyencourage you to reinstate the program.

First, the very fact that you have received a notice from police is thereason you should keep it going. Librarians have had a long history ofprotecting the privacy of their patrons, and if for no other reason you guysshould keep it going in memory of Zoia Horn who was charged with contempt ofcourt for refusing to tell the government what her patrons were doing in thelibrary. This is a proud tradition for librarians, and I feel that you shouldbring this tradition into the 21st century.

second, when I press "submit" on this form, anyone can read it. Not only cananyone read it but everyone would know who I was. It's like sending a postcard, everything on the side is visible to everyone and my to and from areais also visible. I have that luxury but what if this form was being sent to afriend of mine in Cuba or Iran? What if I was just wanting to send a messageto a friend about trying to get out of an abusive relationship with a cop...domestic violence in cop families is 40% higher than normal families. Theseare also the people that have the ability to request information to get thosemessages. Is it realistic that it is happening every day? No. It's also notrealistic to think that the Lebanon, NH patrons are planning some terroristattack, I would say a domestic violence survivor sounds way more likely.There are other things too, people searching online about medical conditions,or trying to message a friend to send them some proprietary work they havebeen doing -- don't make them send that over the clear web where everyoneelse can see their traffic.

Finally, had you guys thought about all this before launching the program andnever did it that would be one thing but you are also now setting precedent.If you shut off the service, you will be telling any other library thinkingof doing this: "You can't beat the government, comply". It will be a chillingeffect to anyone who wants to run a service to help people.

You can call me at any time at 206-552-8728 and I would be glad to talk toyou about this.

Vicky Unknown For i would like to use tor in your library. thanks.

Chris Hartzell Upper Valley For

I just want to voice my overwhelming support for the library runninga tor relay. Please bring it back. We need more people standing up for onlineprivacy. While it's true that some criminals will use tor an infinitelylarger group of law abiding citizens like myself use it on every device Iown. Criminals also drive cars to commit crimes, should we outlaw cars?Please bring it back online. I've written a letter to the editor of thevalley news expressing my support, hopefully it gets run. Anything else I cando to support the tor project let me know.

Nik Palmer Upper Valley For

I recently saw an article:http://www.propublica.org/article/library-support-anonymous-internet-browsing-effort-stops-after-dhs-emailI am an upper valley resident and have been to the Kilton Library for variousevents and frequent the Lebanon Green Library. I want you to know that Isupport the installation of TOR servers at the library and applaud yourpresence at the forefront of this initiative to enable privacy. This is notabout supporting criminal activity.

Thank you & continue the support for Library Freedom Project.-np-

Griffin Shumway Wilder, VT For

Hey, I'm sure you're getting a lot of these emails these days. But I want toraise my support of for the Privacy of Patrons at the Lebanon Library. I'velived in Wilder for most of my life, and since the Kilton opened, I've oftenwondered in there to do Homework, send emails, and other things, and enjoyedthe new space.

I love libraries, and have a strong fondness for librarians. I commend theALA's stance against the patriot act, and I commend the Librarians atKilton's stance on Tor, and anonymous web browsing. I strongly encourage thetrustees to actively support the staff in creating a safe space for patronsto surf the web, and at the very least refrain from interfering with theprivacy of patrons. This is a model to uphold, not to tear down.

Thank you very much,-Griffin Shumway

Fred Silbon Woodbridge NJ For

Hi, I'm interested in your decision to implement a Tor relay as part ofprivacy initiative. I'm an officer and member of Board of Trustees of theWoodbridge Free Public Library System in New Jersey, and have read thearticle in Ars Technica referring to some of the difficulties you're having.We also strive to provide anonymity for our patrons while using our onlinefacilities. I would appreciate it of you would forward to me any of theinformation you considered in making your decision to implement Tor.

I know how difficult it can be when dealing with public opinion contrary tothe forward thinking of the Board and Director of a system. Please relay mysupport to your Board and Director for their forward thinking in theirefforts to provide a fertile atmosphere for learning for your patrons.

Fred Silbon