March 20th Readings

Public Access Technologies in Public Libraries

This article talked about how public-access technology has changed over the years for libraries.

Public-access technology has changed dramatically over the course of this study. PAT tremendously impacts libraries and their relevancy to the community they are serving. As a librarian, I need to understand the services my library provides to our patrons and help the patrons have the best experience possible with PAT. I will need to keep up with the technology that is coming out and how I can incorporate it with our library efficiently and effectively. Patrons look to libraries for most of their technology needs.

Sex in the City

This article talks about restriction or the lack of on the internet in the public library.

I would hope that since this article was written, more libraries have at least some sort of policy in place for their library. I know I would not want to work in an environment like this, it would not be good. It must have been hard for the librarians to be the first and take these steps. I do believe that no censorship is good until it interferes with others experience in the library.

Studying Indiana Public Libraries’ Usage of Internet Filters

This article talked internet filters on computer in the state of Indiana.

Indiana public libraries have a wide range of filters on their computers. Some have very strict filters while others have none. I think that the strictness of a filter, if any, depends on the library and their patrons. If a library never has any problem with patrons bothering others with what they are looking at then the filter can be lenient or none at all, but if computer usage is being a problem and bothering other patrons, then a filter can be stricter. I know that any filter a library may use is not going to be perfect and may have problems.

One Law with Two Outcomes

This article discusses CIPA in public schools and libraries.

This article first talks about the history of CIPA and how it was formed and implemented. It seems that it was easier for schools to implement CIPA than it was for libraries and libraries are still fighting against the affects of CIPA by not taking the money that comes along with it. It does seem a little unfair that public schools and libraries are the only ones who have been the focus of CIPA. There are other institutions that children go, such as YMCA or the Boys and Girls Club.

Please Disable the Entire Filter

This article talks about the Phoenix Public Library and internet filtering.

This article talks about a few of the court cases involving internet filtering in various venues. Part of the decision is that patrons can request that a site be unblocked but it is up to the librarians and the filter provider whether to unblock the site or not. I don’t agree with over-blocking but if there is a website that I know is safe and is blocked for one reason or another, I would go ask to have it unblocked.