[WEB4LIB] Re: E-mail in libraries

[Floyd Ingram]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: web4lib at webjunction.org
> [mailto:web4lib at webjunction.org]On Behalf Of Andrew J. Mutch
> Sent: Tuesday, October 13, 1998 6:05 PM
>
> In defense of Dan and others restricting access to e-mail, chat, etc. on
> their workstations, they are not operating in a public library, which may
> be the only Internet access point in a community.  They are operating in
> institutional settings where students, as Dan pointed out, have a variety
> of locations from which they can merrily chat, e-mail, etc. without
> restriction.  However, I imagine that the workstations that Dan and others
> are having problems with probably are the only workstations where students
> can access a number of specialized resources and since their library
> exists to provide access to those resources, not general access, I think
> what they are doing is reasonable.
>
Thanks, Andrew!  IT is those NARROWMINDED folks who do not realize the
difference.  I understand the issue differently in a public library setting;
but in an academic library (particularly, my library), we have specialized
workstations and SPECIALIZED labs.  Our users have choices, but a few users
have been spoiled and they think that e-mail, chat, etc. should be provided
on ALL computers...maybe they have been spoiled by public librarians.

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Floyd Ingram
Columbia, South Carolina
E-mail: <mailto:fingram at mindspring.com>
Homepage: <http://fingram.home.mindspring.com>
"'Tis better to be flamed and burn than to drown in the deep waters of
silence."
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