Filtering Ad Nauseum

[Dianne L Parham]

We've been all talking about what our community demands, but what most of 
us mean is what a few people have complained about, or what we are 
assuming people will complain about based on our own various level of 
paranoia.

Has anyone out there surveyed their community to find out what they 
really want in terms of information access?  And I don't mean peering over 
their shoulder, but doing an actual survey of community needs, wants, and 
goals?  I have a feeling that the community who is satisfied with the 
access aren't being heard from because they have no complaints.  And, no, 
I'm not ready to believe that all of the unheard are latent ponographers 
and bomb builders.  Some may be decent human beings who have serious 
interest in accessing materials on radical things like cancer (including, 
gasp, testicular and breast), parenting (what....children aren't found 
under cabbage leaves...so that's what I was doing wrong!), literature (oh, 
no, they found the Anais Nin website!), etc.  I'd be interested in 
hearing if anyone out there is basing their assumption on anything but 
anecdotal information, news reports of dubious value, and their own 
personal prejudices and biases.

Dianne Parham
San Diego Public Library