Filtering software & librarian reviewers

[Diane Lewis]

I agree with Chuck.  These people are, however well-intentioned,
ultimately seeking to add legitimacy to their enterprises.  

My question is:  When will the law suits by patrons of 
taxpayer-supported libraries who cannot access the full range of 
topics on the Net begin? Or have they already been filed? 

If my access to the Net in my public library  is 
restricted  because we have to "protect" kids or suit someone's religious 
beliefs, we've got a *big* problem.  I may not want to see all of 
the stuff available on the Web, but I want that access unrestricted 
by someone else's determination of what's suitable for me to view. 

This is a dangerous road to become a fellow-traveller on.

> Date:          Fri, 11 Apr 1997 06:41:11 -0700
> Reply-to:      CMUNSON at aaas.org
> From:          CMUNSON at aaas.org (CMUNSON)
> To:            Multiple recipients of list <web4lib at library.berkeley.edu>
> Subject:       Re: Filtering software & librarian reviewers

> 
> I had a long talk with a filter vendor today in which we frequently circled 
> back to a familiar topic: what they perceive as their need to keep their 
> site list private (it's proprietary, they pay to build it) and what I 
> perceive as our need to make these lists public (information should be 
> accessible, we should know what we block).
>      
> One of the offers this vendor made was to consider having a team of 
> librarians periodically review this company's site list.  I am not sold on 
> this approach, but I think the offer should be considered, if only for the 
> information we would gain from such a project.
>      
> Anyone interested?  Email me personally at kgs at bluehighways.com .
>      
> ------------------------------------------------------------------
> Karen G. Schneider * kgs at bluehighways.com * schneider.karen at epamail.epa.gov 
> Author, The Internet Access Cookbook (e-mail Neal-Schuman at icm.com) 
> Director, US EPA Region 2 Library Contractor, Garcia Consulting
> Cybrarian * Columnist, American Libraries
> Visit our library at http://www.epa.gov/Region2/library/ 
> These opinions strictly mine!
>      
>      
>      Karen. I hate to say this, but you are soliciting librarians to act as 
>      censors. Any partnership with these folks that sell censorware adds 
>      legitimacy to their technology. I can understand and sympathize with 
>      librarians who are under pressure about their public access internet 
>      connections, but working with people who's goal is to sell software 
>      that restricts access to information is akin to trading with the 
>      enemy.
>      
>      I just read another message about RSAC ratings and Internet 
>      "Explorer." Yeah, these ratings like PICS and RSAC are "voluntary," 
>      but what do you do as a web site administrator who won't rate your 
>      site, when one of the browser manufacturers (Microsoft) develops a 
>      browser that has a built in default to screen out all sites without 
>      ratings? These standards, if they are adopted in a widespread fashion, 
>      could become de facto "licenses to publish." What if ratings are 

>      mandated by law? What if Netscape and Microsoft are required to 
>      produce browsers that won't allow you to browse non-rated sites?
>      
>      I know that most web sites aren't rated, but we're talking here about 
>      the first pebbles in a potential avalanche. We're already losing the 
>      battle to keep the net censors out of the public libraries. What's 
>      next?
>      
>      Chuck Munson
> 
Diane M. Lewis, Serial Records Librarian
U.S. Geological Survey Library
National Center--MS 950
Reston, Virginia 20192
(703)648-4399
dilewis at igsrglib01.usgs.gov  

"Without the library, there is no educational
institution."--Dancing with Change, 4/4/97.
Opinions expressed are strictly my own.