[Publib] Re: My Space and U Tube

[Sue Kamm]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Robert L. Balliot 
To: Angela Williams;publib at webjunction.org
Sent: 9/1/2007 7:52:39 AM 
Subject: RE: [Publib] Re: My Space and U Tube


Greetings Angela, 
 
Could you be more specific about reason number three?  I think
that the idea of a ‘gang’ and  the idea of ‘gang activities’ can certainly 
trigger a emotional response.  My first thoughts are of the media
portrayals of young people who live in dangerous environments.
Then I think of the Jets and the Sharks squaring off in West Side
Story.
 
But, what do those terms really mean?  If a ‘gang’ is defined as an 
‘association of criminals’  Rhode Island has had gangs and 
gang activity for many, many years.  If we used that definition
to limit use, according to some of the most recent RICO  prosecutions 
a governor, multiple mayors, judges,  a multitude of legislators, 
and many, many appointed public officials and contractors would
be prohibited. 
 
Where would we be if we said to this powerful crowd that they 
cannot use the library to communicate based on criminal
association?  How would we be able to get funding?  In such
a small state with only 2 degrees of separation, where would
criminal association end and a qualified library user begin?
Would communication between legislators be prohibited?
What about family members communicating with their relatives?
 
If the definition for gang is more strictly defined as a group of
youths who live in a dangerous environment, then the prohibition
would simply be age discrimination and, in my opinion, an
invalid reason to ban use. 

SK: In many urban areas the gangs are both social clubs and organizations for criminal activity.  One way Los Angeles law enforcement offices have tried to cut the gangs off at the roots is by seeking restraining orders.  

<puts on intellectual freedom hat>  How do you KNOW people are using these sites for criminal activity?  Are police officers or library staff looking over people's shoulders to see what they're doing?  And why punish the majority of people who use the sites for lawful purposes for the actions of a few?  

Of course, if the alleged gang members are coming to actual blows or otherwise disturbing the peace, then you have the option of calling the police because of their behavior, not on what they are doing in the library.  

Another thing:  If library users are looking at what others are viewing on the workstation, it is certainly bad manners to read over someone else's shoulders. 

Bottom line: If you deny access based on one or two examples of your defined inappropriate behavior (looking at sexually explicit material, visiting hate sites), you may find yourself in hot water.  Your policy will have more holes than a sponge.  As a member of ALA's Intellectual Freedom Committee when the Library Bill of Rights was last revised, I can tell you we crafted the language carefully.  In earlier editions, the LBR said that access to libraries should not be denied based on race, religion, color of skin, and ohtere items in a laundry list.  Compare the version we have today.  
<doffs intellection freeom hat>


Your friendly neighborhood CyberGoddess and ALA Councilor at Large, 
Sue Kamm
Email: suekamm[at]mindspring.com
Inglewood/Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles Dodgers Truest of the Blue, 2000
Visit my blog: http://suekamm.blogspot.com
Baseball Is Life...the rest is details.
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