Week 11 Readings

Please Disable the Entire Filter

This article presents legal arguments for doing away with mandatory internet filters at libraries, specifically referencing a case in Arizona. First of all, I really enjoyed this article and agreed with the author’s conclusions. It seemed that the author had done an exhaustive amount of research on this subject. It makes a lot of sense for the library to take more of a “hands off” approach to dealing with problems concerning the internet. If they implement punitive measures because of the actions of a single patron, like in Phoenix, then everyone suffers, guilty or not. If patrons are doing something wrong or illegal, laws and policies already exist to take care of these patrons. Heavy handed and indiscriminate new policies should not be formulated that could affect the majority of users who attend to appropriate internet use. Anten’s recommendations should be taken in and studied by libraries concerned about this issue.

Public Access Technologies in Public Libraries  

This article discusses the implementation of Public Access Technologies (PAT) such as computers, printers, and other hardware and software. The part that I found most interesting (and concerning!) for public libraries was how patrons envisioned the way these PATs should work. It seems that some patrons think that library computers are machines that they should be able to do just about anything on. As a result, many patrons cause problems while operating them, as the article discusses. This factor could also lead to decreased use of libraries from patrons, which should lead librarians to find new ways to connect with patrons. This article also addressed a problem that I had foreseen, but never really thought about deeply- the rolling treadmill of technology. The suggestions at the end seemed helpful. Perhaps forming some sort of partnership with other local government agencies would be an excellent idea in order to share the burden of technology.

One Law With Two Outcomes

This article examined the effects of the implementation of CIPA in public libraries and schools. In general, I found the conclusions reached by the author to make a great deal of sense. Librarians are (hopefully!) individuals who take a strong stand on access to information. Therefore, they would be willing to forgo implementing CIPA and losing the funds in order to ensure that children and adults have access to a diverse and high quality set of information from the internet. That said, filters on computers intended for children may not be a bad idea. Schools seemed to accept CIPA and get filters because the often funds starved institutions need any money they can get. For example, an increase in funds means an increase to access of material for classes, which is always good. Additionally, schools are places specifically dedicated to education, so filtering out non-educational material makes sense.

Studying Indiana Usage of Internet Filters

As the title suggests, this article discussed the results of a survey of library filter use that the author undertook. I feel a bit conflicted about this article. On one hand, the surveys seemed to provide some good information on smaller, conservative communities and their internet use. At the same time, there was not much discussion of libraries that are large or understaffed and unable to “patrol” all their patrons. What about those libraries that have more than “’1 computer and it sits where both my assistant and I can see it’” (Comer 12)? Perhaps a more systematic survey is in order for the future.

Sex in the City

This article discusses the difficulties that the MPL had in regulating access to obscene material on their computers and what they eventually chose to do about it. I was very surprised by the lack of care the Board of Trustees showed towards patron complaints. While standing up for freedom to access information, we are also bound to listen to our patrons, especially in a case like this one. As well, judicious and educated use of the internet by patrons is the dream, but so often times it falls short, leading to what happened at the MPL.