[Publib] Internet rules

[Andrea Berstler]

While we have our "pat" answer for the staff based on the points you made
below (being sued, malpractice) I can honestly say that personally, I am
just afraid that I may be wrong. Even with an MLS plus my various undergrad
majors (business, music, education, Bible), I still truly fear giving
someone the wrong answer. If I were to give them a wrong answer to "What is
the capital of.?" OK - it may be a wrong point on a homework assignment, but
if I were to give them wrong information on what form to use for the IRS or
which medical procedure is best - the consequences are much more dire. 

 

I spent 1 year working as a travel agent - but had to quit due to the stress
of dealing with booking international air travel. There were just too many
chances for error and the consequences were too great. I was losing sleep. 

 

One of the reasons I love being a librarian is that I get to look up
answers. Not only am I not expected to know the answers off the top of my
head, it is professionally correct for me to look them up and show the
source of my response.  Is that being a whimp? Perhaps, but it is also
knowing that I am sharing accurate (or at least the most accurate)
information at my disposal with my patron.  

 

I really do not see this as a "Freedom of Speech" issue.  I don't answer
this type of question to withhold information but rather because I am so
concerned with making every effort to provide accurate information. That is
(as I see it) a large part of my job and one that I believe many take rather
seriously. 

 

 

Andrea Berstler

Director - Village Library of Morgantown

 

 

  _____  

From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org]
On Behalf Of Sue Kamm
Sent: Tuesday, June 24, 2008 6:40 PM
To: Scott Bonner; John McGraw; publib at webjunction.org
Subject: RE: [Publib] Internet rules

 

----- Original Message ----- 

From: Scott <mailto:sbonner at rhmlibrary.org>  Bonner 

To: John McGraw <mailto:jmcgraw at cals.lib.ar.us> ;publib at webjunction.org

Sent: 6/24/2008 3:15:07 PM 

Subject: RE: [Publib] Internet rules

 

First to mention Nazis, loses.  Too bad  before Haiku self-destructed, I
was inclined to side with him on the substance, even as I rejected his
style.  A rational discussion of the topic would be interesting.  Too bad it
cant happen now, at least not for a while.  

 

I would have been interested in hearing how one would implement a strong
support for freedom of speech, as well as a real parsing of why and how we
are limited as reference librarians in the information we can give (beyond
the realpolitik of dont touch law, medicine, or taxes for fear of being
sued).  Is there a principle hidden behind the fear?  Or is the principle
on the other side?  The libertarian in me wants to know.

 

SK:  It's not so much a fear of being sued that deters (most) librarians
from providing legal or medical advice, but the possibilit of being nailed
for practicing law or medicine without a license.  In California, for
example, unauathorized practice of law is punishible by a fine of up t $1000
or up to one year in the county jail.  

 

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

"High fly ball hit into right field ... she is gone! In a year that seems so
improbable, the impossible has happened!" - Vin Scully, calling Kirk
Gibson's walk-off home run, Game 1, 1998 World Series

 

 

 

 

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