I do not know if this is the right place since the situation falls into many categories. I know the government is getting into the lives of Americans in almost every way, monitoring calls, internet activity, etc.

My question is that I want to check out some largely controversial books from the library. Books that are relevant to drug synthesis, chemistry, poisons, etc. Basically all types of dangerous chem subject books. I heard that the government even marks certain books to keep track of in the library, so is it safe to be checking out books like these or will the government soon be placing tabs on me just because I am pursuing free information?

No, it most certainly is not safe.

Not only will librarians willingly hand over computers (and possibly records) without any sort of court order (http://wtopnews.com/?nid=598&sid=1452848), but even if they receive a warrant or order they may be obliged to keep it secret if they get sent an NSL (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_security_letter), so you won't even know your records were released.

Never check books out from library. Other reasons not to do so are mentioned here (http://www.dizzy.ws/steal.from.libraries.txt), and some tips for how to steal books from the library are here (http://www.dizzy.ws/stoppayingforshit.htm#16).

I would feel so bad stealing from a public library...

^^this.

But seriously, even though you check books out from the library on illegal subjects your records can't be used against you in a court of law, what's the DA going to say? "Uh... here are records acquired without a warrant that have little relevance to this case" I don't think so.

Also by visiting totse you have probably marked your self as a potential terrorist and the feds can't keep tabs on all of totse, not to mention all of the other "terrorist related" sites.

Moral of my tangent: As long as your not doing anything more stupid then the loads of angry teenagers who type "how to blow my skool and pwn my principal" into google you are probably safe form too much fed attention.

Yeah, the government does keep tabs on local libraries. But you are probably already being monitored, just for the pure fact that you visit totse regularly.

No, it most certainly is not safe.

Not only will librarians willingly hand over computers (and possibly records) without any sort of court order (http://wtopnews.com/?nid=598&sid=1452848), but even if they receive a warrant or order they may be obliged to keep it secret if they get sent an NSL (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_security_letter), so you won't even know your records were released.

Never check books out from library. Other reasons not to do so are mentioned here (http://www.dizzy.ws/steal.from.libraries.txt), and some tips for how to steal books from the library are here (http://www.dizzy.ws/stoppayingforshit.htm#16).

Check out ACLU v. Ashcroft http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doe_v._Ashcroft

library card under another name