ALA on Filtering

[Jerry Kuntz]

Judith Falzon wrote:

> **No, I would imagine there would be no conflict with LBOR over parental
> control over that parents' child/ren filtering configuration. It's
> consistent with LBOR position on parental control. BUT, since the general
> public has a hard time understanding library "stuff" (subject headings,
> for example) I think it's unrealistic to forsee understanding of
> multiple configurations--even if they existed and worked perfectly)--and
> what that means for someone doing I'net research.


I based my comment on the following Interpretation of the LBOR passed by
the ALA Council (Access by Minors):
> Parents or legal guardians who do not want                
> their children to have access to certain library services,                      
> materials or facilities, should so advise their children.                       
> Librarians and governing bodies cannot assume the role of parents               
> or the functions of parental authority in the private                           
> relationship between parent and child. Librarians and governing                 
> bodies have a public and professional obligation to provide equal               
> access to all library resources for all library users.

I think it's pretty plain that strict observance of this interpretation
would disallow filtering authorized by parents but imposed by the
library.

			Jerry Kuntz
			Ramapo Catskill Library System
			jkuntz at rcls.org