[WEB4LIB] E-mail in libraries

[Paul H. Gray]

One of my least favorite things in life - but one of my most favorite
analogies - is the speed bump.

There is no doubt that these things address a valid concern - people
endangering the life and property of others by driving too fast -
There is ALSO no doubt that they cause problems - from spilled coffee to
blown tires to messed up front ends.
The question is - Which set of problems do you prefer to live with.

My point?
Almost everything we do in the library - and in life in general - is just
like that.  Addressing one problem\challenge - raises another  - it's a
matter of choice.

When we first set up public Internet access we banned e-mail, chat lines,
games, etc. for all the very good reasons others have mentioned.
But as time went on it became obvious that this policy was going to be
difficult if not impossible to enforce.

No one's philosophy has changed those who opposed it - still do 
- but as a purely practical matter - we have dropped such restrictions.  
For now and for us (your mileage may vary) the problems created by patrons
using our research stations for e-mail, etc. have not been as great as the
problems caused by the staff time it took to enforce the ban - not to
mention the ill will this sometimes caused, etc.

Hey, boys and girls - men and women - ladies and gentlemen -
This isn't -murder- we are talking about 
No one is stopping anyone from getting a job or feeding their family or
having a decent place to live :-)
For the love of Elvis ------ it's a --policy-- issue.

Why do we have so much trouble accepting there there is no one right and
one wrong answer. Why do we have so much trouble letting everyone determine
the best policy for their own situation; respecting eachother's
professional decisions - and moving on.

Trust me - there are far more important things in this life to could upset
over.

End of sermon - Sister Sadie, please play the organ softly as Brother Jonas
passes the plate.

All standard disclaimers apply
Paul H. Gray, Learning Resources Manager	Phone:  (817)515-6623               
TCJC Northeast LRC				Fax:    (817)515-6275
828 Harwood Road				E-Mail: phgray at tcjc.cc.tx.us
Hurst, Texas 76054