[saquin]

An absolute lack of common sense here. You will admit that at least, correct?

Not at all. I think they acted completely responsibly in this situation. How loudly would you be screaming if a library had released identifying information to an abusive boyfriend posing on the phone as a police officer (without taking a few minutes to check if it was a legitimate request), and a woman was killed? How loud would the screams about invasion of privacy be?

[dr_lew]

How loudly would you be screaming if a library had released identifying information to an abusive boyfriend posing on the phone as a police officer (without taking a few minutes to check if it was a legitimate request), and a woman was killed?

How would this work, exactly? Wouldn't he know her name?

The colors of a rainbow.....so pretty ..in the sky
Are also on the faces.....of people ..going by
I see friends shaking hands.....sayin.. how do you do
They're really sayin......i love you.

I hear babies cry...... I watch them grow
They'll learn much more.....than I'll never know
And I think to myself .....what a wonderful world

[plan2succeed.org]

You said, "abusive boyfriend posing on the phone as a police officer."

That is a hypothetical argument that does not fit the facts in this case. In this case it appears from the article that the library knew it was the police and still refused them.

Look at the subsequent actions. The Steiner lady said they should have released the info in a life or death situation. That indicates to me she knew they knew they were talking to the police. Else she would have said something else, like, well you should have called the police station right away to confirm their identity. But she didn't say that.