[Publib] Berners-Lee, the Web, and librarians

[Phil Hearne]

Jim,

You raise the age-old issue that describes what we do: "folks who are in the
business of empowering people through access to information," and, of
course, we act as gatekeepers for and advisors to those seekers. 

Monday BBC news published an article about Tim Berners-Lee and his new
foundation. 
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7613201.stm

He told the News that there needed to be new systems that would give
websites a label for trustworthiness once they had been proved reliable
sources, e.g., gatekeepers and advisors. The article explains his concerns
about false information on the Web. 

Perhaps a crowd of pub-libbers needs to volunteer services to Sir Tim and
set him on the right path. After all, that's what we do.  

Phil Hearne
MRL



-----Original Message-----
From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org]
On Behalf Of James Casey
Sent: Tuesday, September 16, 2008 1:04 PM
To: 'Kimberly White'; publib at webjunction.org
Subject: RE: [Publib] McCain wants to tax your employer-provided
healthcarebenefits

I quite agree with Kimberly's point and can see how sanctimonious
declarations can be offensive.  Intellectual blindness can afflict persons
on either side of a political discussion.

The real division in this country is between those who "believe what they
see" and those who "see only what they believe".  As Librarians --- folks
who are in the business of empowering people through access to information
--- we should be hoping that the deciding factor in determining the outcome
of elections will be voters who "believe what they see" --- persons willing
to be convinced by information and realities rather than ignoring that
information and those realities that don't conform to preconceived
ideological dispositions.

James B. Casey --- My own views
Director of Oak Lawn Public Library
ALA Council Member




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