Filters/Cybersitter

[Phil Meyer]

On Thu, 24 Apr 1997, Ronnie Morgan wrote:

> As for the censorship issue, I don't believe this is "censorship".  All
> libraries have a collection development policy (if not, they should),
> because a library can not obtain EVERY book and EVERY journal that is
> available.  They have to pick out what is best for thier community, school,
> etc...  Filter programs are nothing more than collection development tools.
>  And if filter programs are unconstitutional, then collection development
> policies are as well...

Wrong.  Using software to block internet sites is intrinsically different
than traditional collection development.  Collection development assumes
that resources are finite and that you start with nothing in your
collection and work your way up.  Software blocking assumes that resources
are not an issue and that you start with everything on the internet and
work your way down.

Take a look at ILL.  Should a library refuse to ILL something "questionable" 
for a patron?  The internet-blocking-is-the-same-as-collection-development 
argument would mean you would have to refuse.

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Phil Meyer                                 Phone: 612 689 7390
Systems Librarian                          Fax:   612 689 7389
East Central Regional Library              
244 S. Birch St.                           Email: phil at ecrl.lib.mn.us
Cambridge, MN  55008
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