Re: Marni's project/internet restriction

[Kathy Geronzin <geronzin@hobbes.clinton.net>]

I'm coming into this discussion a little late because I haven't been
on-line for two day, but there have been some misleading statements that
have been made.  The American Library Association does not and I repeat
does NOT affirm the use of filtering software in any library.  They went
to court along with many other organizations to fight the CDA.  They are
already marshing their forces against McCain's bill which would require
schools to use blocking software.  This spring I have been researching
child safety on the Internet.  There are many Internet sites that
address this issue.  I suggest ALAs website, the Center for Missing and
Exploited Children, and Peacefire.  The main reason each of us should
oppose the use of filtering software is because it doesn't work.  This
is being doucmented from sources like School Library Journal, the New
York Times, and the Wall Street Journal.

Kathy Geronzin
Northeast Community Schools
3690 Hwy # 136
Goose Lake, IA 52750
319-577-2249
FAX 319-577-2248
geronzin@caves.net


Ken Umbach wrote:
>Hi ...
>
>At 09:13 AM 4/7/98 -0400, Chris Finer wrote:
>...
>>I am firmly convinced that we do our students no favors by
>artificially
>>restricting their internet access.
>
>Why not?  Librarians "artificially restrict" students' access to
>printed
>materials, videos, etc., right?  That is, I doubt very much that
>your
>library includes Penthouse, Hustler, the Weekly World News, etc.,
>or the
>ravings of the KKK or American Nazi Party (or even religious
>tracts such as
>Watchtower and Awake), or would even if someone were to donate
>them.  For
>that matter, "weeding" is a big topic on this list, and what is
>weeding but
>a process of DEselection of material ALREADY in the collection
>(and
>sometimes deselecting (read: censoring) clearly for purposes of
>political
>correctness)?
>
>>Finally, the American Library Association puts it simply and
>very clearly:
>>"The American Library Association affirms that the use of
>filtering
>>software by libraries to block access to constitutionally
>protected speech
>>violates the Library Bill of Rights."  Couldn't say it better
>myself.
>
>And what do they say about the "filtering" activities of
>*librarians* in
>selecting materials to purchase, accept, and retain?  (And don't
>try to
>slide by with some line about limited budgets ... you COULD give
>up that
>extra copy of The Collected Works of Judy Blume in exchange for
>subscriptions to The National Enquirer and other supermarket
>tabloids if the
>collection is truly open to all constitutionally protected
>speech.)
>
>It seems to me that there is a major disconnect and much
>confusion in
>analysis of the librarian's (and library's) role in selecting
>(read:
>filtering) the collection in the age of the Internet.  It is not
>so simple
>as a recitation of bromides about "constititionally protected
>speech."
>
>
>Ken
>:::donning flame-proof long-johns:::
>--
>Kenneth W. Umbach, Ph.D., Policy Analyst
>California Research Bureau, California State Library
>900 N. Street, Suite 300, Sacramento, California 95814
>E-mail: kumbach@unlimited.net (or kumbach@library.ca.gov)
>Phone (voice) 916-653-6002 (fax) 916-654-5829
>Personal Web page and selected papers:
>http://members.unlimited.net/~kumbach
>This message reflects my opinion, not that of my employer or
>anyone else.
>
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>From: Ken Umbach <kumbach@UNLIMITED.NET>
>Subject:      Re: Marni's project/internet restriction
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