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EUREKA, I'VE FOUND IT!!!!!!! Yes, if librarians really want to dramatically increase both their checkout statistics and increase the usage of existing traditional "print" resources within their collections, I have discovered a "sure fire" way to accomplish that goal!!! In 2001, USD 470 purchased and installed an internet filtering proxy or program throughout the district. Since its installation, it has and continues to effectively block numerous websites such as: www. politics1.com/parties.htm www. nationalgeographic.com www.allbookstores.com www.ala.org/booklist/v98/fe1/33carey.html www.powells.com www.barnesandnoble.com www.top10links.com www.chebucto.ns.ca/Heath/TeenHealth/ http://search.dogpile.com/texis/search?q=gutenberg+video&geo=no&fs=web http://search.dogpile.com/texis/search?q=saki+and+%22open+window%22&geo=no&fs=web http://search.dogpile.com/texis/search?q=%22short+stories%22&geo=no$fs=web http://search.dogpile.com/texis/search?start=8&q=%2Bpsychologists+%2Bbiography&fs=web&brand=dogpile http://www.tulsa.oklahoma.net/~jnichols/megapsych.html http://search.dogpile.com/texis/search?q=%22famous+figures+in+psychology%22&geo=no&brands=dogpile&cat=web http://search.dogpile.com/texis/search?q=%22freud+net%22&geo=no&brand=dogpile&cat=web http://www.bestwebbuys.com/books http://nativeculture.com/ http://www.wordorigins.org/ http://www.spanishnewyork.com/ http://www.frencheuropean.com/spanish%20Novels%20N-Z.htm http://www.classiclit.about.com http://www.detective.com/ http://www.heritage.org/ _____________________________ Of course, the filter also effectively blocks topics such as "pornography", "sex and harassment", and etc. even if the student tries to search such topics within the "SIRS", "INFOTRAC", or "FIRSTSEARCH" databases. As usual, without any imput from librarians or faculty, the Central Office just installed the filter. Whether the program can be altered or customized, who knows. Nevertheless, being resourceful and able to quickily adapt to any situation, I seized an opportunity to improve and expand the usage of traditional non-online sources. I began compensating for the online "blocked" research topics by targeting acquisitions specifically on those specific "filtered" topics. Over the last two years, I have expanded, built up, or added materials and resources to the collection which are no longer available via the internet. Circulation within those collection areas are up! Yes, the students continue to be disappointed and frustrated because of the restricted access resulting from the filter but, as they say, there is a silver lining to every black cloud. Job and career survival dictates one must work within the system and, more importantly, connive and manipulate every situation and circumstance most convenient and advantageous to your own self interest and self preservation. In summary, here is the simple formula: 1. Recommend and convince your administrator or director to purchase the most indiscriminating filtering program available (easy because it is usually the cheapest). 2. Do NOT allow input or involvement in the filter acquisition process especially by people who might have some knowledge or expertise pertaining to either filter quality, or the ramifications of its implementation. 3. Once installed, classify the filter details as "top secret". Communicate as little as possible to those most directly effected by the installation of the program. 4. Do not create or establish any "simple" method, process, or procedure by which those actually using the internet can communicate suggestions, customizing, or improvements to the filter proxy or program. If one follows these simple tenets, I guarantee an "inverse" relationship with the decline in online usage to the increase in "concrete" measurable usage!!! Observable and measurable student usage is up, and your immediate supervisor or administrator is duly impressed and looks forward presenting the new numbers at a future BOE meeting. Bob Hicks High school librarian Arkansas City, KS aknaten@webtv.net PINING FOR NEFERTITI =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=- All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law. To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL 3) SET LM_NET MAIL 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST * Allow for confirmation. LM_NET Help & Information: http://ericir.syr.edu/lm_net/ Archive: http://askeric.org/Virtual/Listserv_Archives/LM_NET.shtml LM_NET Select/EL-Announce: http://www.cuenet.com/archive/el-announce/ LM_NET Supporters: http://ericir.syr.edu/lm_net/ven.html =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-