E-mail in libraries

[bboru at si.umich.edu]

Perhaps one point that needs to be considered, amidst all the clamor of 
being a good citizen and adhering to rules, etc., is that the privileges 
of scrupulous users may be sacrificed in the interest of thwarting an 
onslaught of transgressions. As for myself, there have been times, while 
doing 'legitimate' research (as defined by the library) when I've had to 
make quick reference to my e-mail account by using 'illegitimate' means. 
Am I to be castigated for circumventing a policy which clearly didn't 
anticipate such use? Maybe so. Uniform adherence to policies does, in a 
sense, provide common access for all parties. On the other hand, 
Internet access in libraries is still relatively new, and many such policies 
are works in progress.

Allowing unrestricted access in all situations is probably untenable, but 
-- as in the case of free speech -- I think it is worth suffering a large 
measure of abuse in order to avoid depriving responsible use by those who 
need it.

______________________________________________________________________________
Brian Sheppard                      
321 8th St.                         
Ann Arbor, MI  48103
 
E-mail:  bboru at alumni.si.umich.edu