[Publib] Library Director Resigns Because of WiFi

[Rebekah Azen]

Council on Wireless Technology Impacts
Citizens and professionals concerned about responsible use of 
electromagnetic radiation 
936-B Seventh Street, #206, Novato, California 94945
http://www.energyfields.org/

For Immediate Release
January 16, 2007
Contact: Rebekah Azen
505-424-9475
rebekah at cybermesa.com

LIBRARY DIRECTOR RESIGNS BECAUSE OF WIFI

A Library Director at a college in Santa Fe, NM left her position due to 
wireless internet (WiFi) in the library. Rebekah Zablud Azen, MLIS, 
resigned from her position at Quimby Memorial Library, Southwestern 
College, on December 16th, 2006 after administrators refused to discuss 
the issue.

"I don't feel that I should have to jeopardize my health to secure or 
maintain employment, but allowing oneself to be irradiated is fast 
becoming a condition of employment for librarians. I just said no."

B. Blake Levitt, a medical journalist who has been researching the 
biological affects of nonionizing radiation since the late '70's, and 
author of: Electromagnetic Fields: A Consumer's Guide to the Issues and 
How to Protect Ourselves, and Cell Towers: Wireless Convenience? or 
Environmental Hazard? wrote, "Once considered safe 
environments/professions, librarians and teachers are now in high risk 
professions."

Azen is not the first librarian to express opposition or leave her 
position because of WiFi. In Santa Fe, four librarians recently signed a 
petition against WiFi in the public libraries, while several others 
objected to WiFi but were afraid to speak out. There is a librarian on 
the west coast that has been told not to discuss this issue by library 
administration and a report of two librarians who moved to rural towns 
and left the profession.

The proliferation of wireless technologies is a growing and serious 
public health hazard, says Azen. "There is no evidence proving safety 
and an abundance of evidence demonstrating biological harm to living 
systems. Anyone who cares to look into the vast body of research that 
has been conducted over the past 80 years will find that the weight of 
evidence points to harm. The only sensible response is precaution."

Current safety standards adopted by federal agencies like OSHA were 
developed by industry groups and are obsolete. EPA senior scientist and 
radiofrequency (RF) radiation expert, Norbert Hankin, wrote, "Both the 
NCRP (National Council on Radiation Protection) and ANSI/IEEE standards 
are thermally based and do not apply to chronic non-thermal exposure 
situations." In other words, if it doesn't "cook tissue," it is assumed 
to be safe. Research indicates however that low-power exposure (WiFi is 
"low power') has been shown to have numerous biological effects which 
can lead to serious health consequences, including neurological, 
cardiological and hormonal disorders, breakdown of the blood-brain 
barrier, DNA damage, cancers, diabetes and asthma. Children, to whom 
public libraries cater, have brains and nervous systems that are still 
developing; they are particularly vulnerable.

Among the many scientists, organizations, government agencies and 
medical societies issuing bans or precautions, Lakehead University, in 
Canada, prohibits WiFi on its campus; the Public Health Department in 
Salzburg, Austria advises against WiFi in schools; the Schools 
Department in Frankfurt, Germany prohibits WiFi in schools; and the 
Austrian Medical Association warns against wireless technologies, 
including WiFi. The Benevento Resolution is the most recent and 
comprehensive pronouncement by 31 scientists internationally.

The Benevento Resolution 
http://www.icems.eu/docs/Benevento_press_release.pdf
states, "Based on our review of the science, biological effects can 
occur from exposures to both Extremely Low Frequency Electromagnetic 
Fields (ELF EMF) and Radiofrequency fields (RF EMF). More evidence has 
accumulated that there are adverse health effects from occupational and 
public exposure to electric, magnetic and electromagnetic fields, or EMF 
at current exposure levels."  The resolution also specifically warns 
against exposure to WiFi systems.

Azen is also opposed to WiFi in libraries because it creates barriers to 
access for people with disabilities. People with certain types of heart 
disease, epilepsy, and others with electromagnetic sensitivity react 
with pain, confusion, and neurological or cardiac symptoms and are 
effectively denied access to libraries with WiFi. In California alone, a 
1998 survey by the California Dept. of Health Services found that 
120,000 Californians were unable to work due to electromagnetic 
radiation. Today, this number is undoubtedly much higher due to the 
rapid growth of wireless technologies.

Librarians have always upheld the principle that access to libraries and 
information is inviolate, says Azen. "Today, this important library 
principle is eroding due the unquestioned acceptance of WiFi. Libraries 
should retain their autonomy as "wireless-free" zones. Instead of 
rushing to join the herd to go wireless, libraries should be building 
collections on this topic and educating the populace about the hazards 
associated with this technology."

Azen says there are other issues as well with WiFi in libraries: 
libraries are relinquishing their unique role by morphing into internet 
cafés, the provision of special services to those who have the money to 
afford laptops is re-igniting the digital divide, WiFi service imposes a 
financial and personnel drain on libraries already struggling to build 
collections and maintain traditional library services, and unsecured 
networks compromise a library's commitment to protect user privacy and 
confidentiality. "Social security numbers, financial records, and yes, 
library records, are all vulnerable in unsecured wireless networks."

Azen says that librarians need to assess technological trends wisely and 
ensure that the adoption of new technologies does not adversely impact 
public health, restrict access, undermine the treasured principles upon 
which we stand, or erode libraries. She says there are simple solutions 
to providing more computer access, such as installing wired hubs for 
patrons.

WiFi is the proverbial elephant in the room. We must, as a profession, 
begin to open up a dialog on this critical issue that is affecting 
libraries and librarians everywhere, says Azen.



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