Libraries, WWW, Porn.

[Wilfred Drew]

Nick Arnett wrote:
> 
> At 10:11 AM 3/27/97 -0800, Wilfred Drew wrote:
> >I subscribe to the electronic version of Wired.  This link was in it
> >today:
> >
> >http://www.netizen.com/netizen/97/12/index3a.html
> >
> >Take a look at it.  It is a very well written article.  Also look at the
> >discussion thread.
> 
> Well written, yes, but what's new there?  It asks the same questions that
> have come up over and over, without any new point of view, it appears.  I'm
> increasingly bugged by the attitude that repeatedly surfaces, that libraries
> are just repositories of information, rather than institutions that
> collectively and individually add value to information beyond storage.
> Would a room full of disorganized documents be considered a library
> resource?  If not, why do we regard the Web as a library resource?  Just
> because a small part of it is somewhat organized?

We don't add value to information.  We organize that information. 
Individuals librarian authors and compilers add value to information by
creating annotated indexes and finding tools.  That value is NOT added
to the original work.

> 
> >>"Public" Libraries have a resonsibility to the public in general. That
> overrides the individual's freedom of
> >>     choice while on the librarie's premises.
> >
> >     Exactly wrong. Public libraries' responsibilities include keeping all
> information available, and not imposing government
> >     standards on the individual's freedom of choice.
> 
> Since when is a public library's responsibility to keep *all* information
> available?  That's ridiculous.  It reduces the idea of a library to nothing
> more than a dumping ground for data.

We may not "keep all information" but by using interlibrary loan and
other such services we provide free or inexpensive access to "all
information.

> 
> What will politicians do if the Supreme Court rules that libraries cannot
> legally stop kids from accessing material that they believe is harmful?
> Stand back and say, "Ah, well, freedom of speech is more important."  Not
> likely.
> 
> If librarians and the public don't begin to recognize their own power and
> articulate the library's value beyond "access to information," then U.S.
> politicians, one way or another, will surely begin to erode that very
> access, even if it means shutting down Internet access in libraries,
> altering or re-interpreting the First Amendment.

Everything a library does revolves around providing "access to
information".  That is no small role.
All of the work I do on the web revolves around that.  Creating finding
tools and aides revolves around that.
That MUST be where we start and where we end.

--
Wilfred Drew (Call me "Bill") Systems Librarian (also reference)
SUNY College of Ag. & Tech.;   P.O. Box 902;  Morrisville, NY 13408-0902
E-mail: DREWWE at MORRISVILLE.EDU  Cooltalk:drewwe at 136.204.83.8
powwow:drewwe at wedrew.lib.morrisville.edu
Phone: (315)684-6055 or 684-6060 Fax: (315)684-6115 
New Homepage: http://www.snymor.edu/~drewwe/
Not Just Cows: http://www.morrisville.edu/~drewwe/njc/ 
LibraryLinks: http://www.morrisville.edu/pages/library/
SUNYLA'97: http://www.morrisville.edu/~drewwe/sunyla/sunyla97.htm
--