The Patriot Library
Free access to censored and politically controversial materials without requiring personal information or tracking users.
Initiator(s)
Finishing School, Christy Thomas
Description
The project consists of a collection of documents such as books, periodicals and other media that could be considered dangerous without questioning the motivation of the user. The archive keeps no records of users' personal information or which materials they consult. It offers printed books, manuscripts, maps, photographs, prints and drawings, sound recordings, digital images and artifacts. The organisers of the project oppose any governmental action which may lead to intimidation of its users or to limit intellectual freedom. This project was first presented at Lucky Tackle, an art gallery in Oakland, CA. It is currently available online.
Goals
The Patriot Library's goal is to provide free access to books, periodicals, and other media which may be censured because considered dangerous. It makes available the widest diversity of views and expressions and it opposes and challenges all attempts to impose censorship. The project is nomadic and can be replicated and take on various spatial configurations.
Beneficial outcomes
The Patriot Library offers access to these materials, returning them to the public domain.
Location
United States
Users
Citizens, Christy Thomas, artists collective Finishing School
Maintained by
The initiators
Duration
2003
Category
Scientific
Pedagogical
Politics
Urban Development
Economy
Environment
Social
