Re: Washington Post Article discussion

["Joanne E. Ladewig" <shatz@LIGHTSIDE.COM>]

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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