schoool / public internet policy

[P or K Bary]

I disagree.  I work for a district with a branch in a school library, and
we are absolutely not a guest - we are a public library located in a school.  

This has caused some problem since the missions of a school and a public
library can be in conflict, especially where Internet policies are
concerned.  Since my library doesn't filter Internet access, and the school
would prefer to, we've had to make some concessions.  For instance, the
public has unrestricted access to 'Net PCs at all times the library is
open.  On the other hand, students are limited to Internet use for
schoolwork only.  But after school hours it's another story.  They are then
considered full-fledged members of the public.

Other measures we've taken in that location include placing the Internet
stations so they face the reference desk, and removal of the printers to a
location behind the reference desk - so that librarians retrieve print
jobs.  These steps were taken because as soon as we set up Internet access,
some of the kids were printing and distributing some rather graphic graphics.

It's a rather tenuous relationship, but this alliance was forged long
before Internet access in public libraries.  Would we newly-create this
kind of a partnership now?  I don't know, but I doubt it.  Since it's there
we're all trying to make it work.

Karen Bary
Arapahoe Library District
Littleton, Colorado
ksbary at csn.net or bary at qadas.com



>Return-Path: <web4lib at library.berkeley.edu>
>Date: Tue, 19 May 1998 07:27:22 -0700
>Errors-To: listchek at webjunction.org
>Reply-To: bennettt at am.appstate.edu
>Originator: web4lib at library.berkeley.edu
>Sender: web4lib at library.berkeley.edu
>From: TMGB <bennettt at am.appstate.edu>
>To: Multiple recipients of list <web4lib at library.berkeley.edu>
>Subject: Re: schoool / public internet policy
>X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas
>X-Comment: Web4Lib Information - http://sunsite.berkeley.edu/Web4Lib/
>
>I have not had experience in this or a similar matter, but it seems that you
>are a "guest" of the school library.  I don't endorse restrictions myself
and I
>don't approve of non-parental guidance in any manner.  In an analogy with
city
>and state, the city is allowed to make it's own rules as long as they are not
>in direct conflict with the state's regulations.  Although, in the public
>library building you have your right to set and impose rules that the
library's
>administration has agreed upon. You may ask yourself: Are there any
policies or
>agreements made between the public library and the school library when this
>union began that might be in effect in this situation?
>..when in Rome...
>
>m2cw
>Thomas
>
>
>Renee Vaillancourt wrote:
>
>> This message is being cross-posted to Web4Lib and PUBLIB. Please excuse any
>> duplication.
>>
>> One of our public library branches is located in a high school. The public
>> library collection is housed in a section of the high school library. The
>> library is run by the media specialist during school hours, and by a public
>> librarian one evening a week and on Saturdays. High school students are
>> allowed to check out any books in the high school collection without a
>> card, and any books in the public library collection with a public library
>> card (which parents have to sign for minors under the age of 18.) The
>> public can check out public library or high school library books using
>> their public library card.
>>
>> Here's the rub: the high school library is about to make public Internet
>> access available. They are currently drafting an Internet use policy that
>> is likely to be more restrictive than the current public library policy
>> (although we don't anticipate the use of filters.) How do we reconcile the
>> access philosophies of the two institutions? Should the public have
>> different Internet access than the students? What about students who use
>> the library after school or on the weekends? What about adults that use the
>> library during school hours? Should we draft one policy that would apply to
>> all patrons, regardless of status?
>>
>> If anyone has experienced a similar situation, I would be very interested
>> in hearing how you responded to it. Thanks in advance for your help.
>>
>> *****************************
>> Renee J. Vaillancourt
>> Assistant Director
>> Missoula (MT) Public Library
>> rvail at mtlib.org
>> *****************************
>
>
>
>--
>-------------------------------------------------------------------------
>Thomas McMillan Grant Bennett           Appalachian State University
>Computer Consultant II                  University Library
>bennettt at am.appstate.edu
http://www.library.appstate.edu/admin/
>Voice:  704 262 2797   FAX:    704 262 3001
>
>In librarianship--as elsewhere--the quality of service is not measured by
>the number of complaints received
>
>