[Publib] Internet Policies in Public Libraries

Tue Oct 2 17:07:20 EDT 2007

Are we supposed to be looking over our users' shoulders to see what
they're doing at a workstation? 

No! 

Didn't I write that I am for providing access to information and against
censorship? I did. I merely suggest that if you see a patron clearly
engaging in unacceptable behavior, you stop it! That's what I would do.
Your mileage may vary. 

I won't attempt to define obscenity other than to comment that
obscenity, however defined, isn't protected speech.  

Robert Forman

Continuing Education Coordinator

New Mexico State Library

1209 Camino Carlos Rey

Santa Fe NM 87507

Robert.Forman at state.nm.us

(505) 476-9755

________________________________

From: Sue Kamm [mailto:suekamm at mindspring.com] 
Sent: Tuesday, October 02, 2007 2:53 PM
To: Forman, Robert, DCA; lynlestblue at aol.com; publib at webjunction.org
Subject: RE: [Publib] Internet Policies in Public Libraries

Define obscenity <g>. 

-----Original Message----- 
From: "Forman, Robert, DCA" 
Sent: Oct 2, 2007 4:06 PM 
To: lynlestblue at aol.com, publib at webjunction.org 
Subject: RE: [Publib] Internet Policies in Public Libraries 

Yeah, that's right. 

As librarians we don't want to ban or block access to information.
Rather, we want to facilitate access to information. There is no
rationale for banning or limiting access. We do, however, want to
protect our patrons, in whatever applicable way, children, for example,
from exposure to stuff they shouldn't be exposed to. Plus, we want to
limit our own liability. But, other than obscenity and slander and stuff
like that, I don't think it's our role to determine what's acceptable
and what's not. Motions to ban e-mail or games or social networking
sites seems like so much of a knee-jerk reaction to me. Just be
information neutral or biased on the side of access to information.
That's a core librarian value. 

Robert Forman

Continuing Education Coordinator

New Mexico State Library

1209 Camino Carlos Rey

Santa Fe NM 87507

Robert.Forman at state.nm.us

(505) 476-9755

________________________________

From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of lynlestblue at aol.com
Sent: Tuesday, October 02, 2007 1:36 PM
To: publib at webjunction.org
Subject: [Publib] Internet Policies in Public Libraries

What is the rationale in banning or limiting access to email, chat and
online games?  Except for viewing pornography, how can librarians
provide equal computer access to patrons if chat, email and games are
limited?  How can the librarian make the call on what is deemed "serious
research?"

Inquisitive Public Librarian 

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