Re: Washington Post Article discussion

[Michele Missner <missnerm@ATHENET.NET>]

We must remember that this is the Washington Times not post.  The is a
right wing newspaper.  Michele

On Sat, 30 Oct 1999, Joanne E. Ladewig wrote:

> LM_NET & Gail:
>
> Gail requested that we discuss the Washington Post article. Here's my 2 cents:
>
> (From the end of the article:)
> "If you have a young child and you send them to the public library, there's
> nothing to prevent them from hopping on line and looking at everything
> under the sun."
>
> #1. - It's a PUBLIC library. The PUBLIC has a variety of interests and
> research needs. I may not agree with lots of things that are happening in
> society, government, schools, etc. BUT as an adult I have the right to read
> and research. As an adult, I may not want to read or research information
> that I find repugnant or immoral, but I might NEED to do just that if I am
> assigned to do so by my college professor, or as a member of a community
> group, etc. By the same token many middle schoolers and high school
> students also need access to controversial material for research for
> reports or debate data, or for their own personal understanding of the
> issues. A PUBLIC library therefore needs to have a VARIETY of materials
> from different sources and viewpoints.
>
> #2. - If you have a YOUNG child you should NOT be "dropping them off" at
> ANY public place unattended. Those days are in the past my friends! What
> BETTER place for a child molester or serial killer to prowl? The parent of
> a YOUNG child should NEVER expect a public institution or public place
> (like a shopping mall, or a Las Vegas casino!) to provide adequate
> supervision or a safe environment in their absence.
>
> The Internet is predominately a "grown-up" world - and the Internet
> terminals in public libraries were not intended for "young children."
> Public libraries have children's areas, and if the funding is sufficient
> for extra Internet terminals, then several in the children's areas with
> "age appropriate" access (just as the books and materials in the children's
> areas are age-appropriate) should be considered. There are far too few
> terminals available to students and adults who need them for research to
> allow "young children" to "play" on them with, or without supervision.
>
> What is the "age" factor? As a parent I would strongly suggest that most
> children under the age of 12 should not be without supervision in a public
> library. The library is not a babysitting facility, and the "PUBLIC" who
> pay taxes have a right to use the facility without the annoyance and
> problems associated with unsupervised children.
>
>
> Joanne Ladewig
> Information Center Director
> Fairgrove Academy - a K-8 public school focusing on
>    the Visual and Performing Arts, and Technology
> La Puente, CA
> jladewig@ns700-1.enet.hlpusd.k12.ca.us
> home email: shatz@lightside.com
>
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Michele W. Missner,
Program Leader for Media Services       Library Media Specialist
Appleton Area School District           Appleton West High School
Office phone: (414) 832-4899            610 N. Badger Ave
Einstein Middle School                  Appleton Wi. 54914
email:  missnerm@athenet.net            phone: (920) 832-4162-work
(920)   730-0768 -home                   (920) 832-6239-fax
(920)   832-4899 (media center)
http://www.athenet.net/~westfive

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