Electronic Brown Wrappers in special libraries

[Diane Lewis]

Date:          Fri, 6 Jun 1997 07:16:59 -0700
Reply-to:      RAGilbert at ems.jsc.nasa.gov
From:          "Gilbert, Richard A" <RAGilbert at ems.jsc.nasa.gov>
To:            Multiple recipients of list <web4lib at library.berkeley.edu>
Subject:       RE: Electronic Brown Wrappers in special libraries

>----------
>From: 	CMUNSON at aaas.org[SMTP:CMUNSON at aaas.org]
>Sent: 	Friday, June 06, 1997 8:30 AM
>To: 	Multiple recipients of list
>Subject: 	Electronic Brown Wrappers in special libraries
>
>David, you are guilty of comparing apples and oranges. This is the first 
>time we've discussed special libraries and I think many would agree that 
>they are different case than public libraries.
>
>What do the special librarians think?
>
>I've gotten web burns from the slippery slope. It would do David some good, 
>to personally experience being censored.
>
>Chuck

In a government setting, using the web for personal or entertainment
purposes is a misuse of government property.  (Viewing pornography will
get you fired.)  To my knowledge, filtering is not an option being
considered either by the libraries or by management.

It is clear that in both a corporate and government setting, the misuse
of computing facilities (i.e. money) is a concern.  Censorship or
filtering in these types of special libraries could be implemented at
any time as a policy, and I doubt that the librarians would have much
choice in the matter.

Government employees have to keep constantly in mind that the sysad 
(or the boss) can legally find out anything they do on their pc.  
Video games were taken off our library staff pcs early on (I don't 
think they've figured out what to do about WEB stuff yet). 

For myself, I would love to access sites like the Louvre or home 
shopping but I know it's unethical and verboten.  I'm also scared to 
death when I try to keep up to date and surf in our subject area--
what if I unknowingly access a site that is forbidden?   Am I making 
some of you happy that you don't work for Uncle Sam?
Diane M. Lewis, Serial Records Librarian
& Exchange & Gift Librarian
U.S. Geological Survey Library
National Center--MS 950
Reston, Virginia 20192
(703)648-4399
dilewis at igsrglib01.usgs.gov  

"Whatever the cost of our libraries,
the price is cheap compared to an 
ignorant nation."--Walter Cronkite. 

With thanks to the U.S.A. for the freedom to express
them, any inflammatory opinions and ideas contained 
herein are mine alone.