Warning: Uncle Sam Watching?

Santa Cruz is among the first library systems in the nation to warn users about the ramifications of section 215 of the Patriot Act, which gives the government the authority to seize library or bookstore records of anyone connected to an investigation of international terrorism or spying.

Library patron Ari Avraham of Santa Cruz responded to the signs saying, "I'm not reading anything they'd be particularly interested in, but that's not the point. This makes me think of Big Brother," reported the San Francisco Chronicle.

The posted library warning concludes: "Questions about the policy should be directed to Attorney General John Ashcroft, Department of Justice, Washington, DC 20530."