JREF website banned

[a_unique_person]

I was joking and I think that unique understood that I was joking.

I do actually think that Randi is right to ask that we create a repository of information that can be used by those in interested in scepticism. Flame wars, in which emotion leads to illogical outbursts, do not support that mission.

I can admit to being guilty of this once of twice myself, and can't say I am proud of it.

 

[TragicMonkey]

I am happy to see so many people writing about the importance of non-filtered internet access in libraries and schools!

I think it would be great if those of you who are living in places where there is filtering called/wrote your elected officals and expressed your displeasure.

Or if there are not internet filters in your local library/school call the library director or school priciple or elected officals, tell them how glad you are! Public opinion really matters, especially concerning libraries and filtering.

In my area, government funds for internet access at public libraries was tied to an obligation to install filters on all publicly accessible computers. My city refused to accept the money with strings, and our libraries offer both filtered and unfiltered terminals. Our immediately neighboring city took the money and put filters everywhere---sell outs! But it was sad that they pretty much had to choose between having funding or censorship. The wealthier library system could afford to refuse.

 

[MetalLibrarian]

Hi Metal, welcome to the forum...
can I assume from your name you are a librarian?
If so, do you have any obligations regarding what you allow people to access in your library. For example, you don't stock porno magazines. Do you have any obligations or duty of care with people using libraries to attempt to prevent them coming into contact with certain things? What I'm really getting at is if this filtering is a voluntary decision taken by library management or is thier some regulatory requirement in your area.?

Yes, I am a librarian. And your question is a good one.
We are not under legal obligation to use filters, but we have (and had for years) a written internet use policy. That policy prohibits the viewing of pornography etc. Plus, if a customer complains about what someone is looking at, we go over and check it out. We also randomly walk through the computer lab to check. Often times students do reports on the history of hate crimes or violence against women, and porn pop ups cannot be prevented. Or, the images they are writing about are disturbing, but they are looking at them for a legititmate reason.

 

[MetalLibrarian]

In my area, government funds for internet access at public libraries was tied to an obligation to install filters on all publicly accessible computers. My city refused to accept the money with strings, and our libraries offer both filtered and unfiltered terminals. Our immediately neighboring city took the money and put filters everywhere---sell outs! But it was sad that they pretty much had to choose between having funding or censorship. The wealthier library system could afford to refuse.

That is a HUGE problem. My library system does not accept federal funds, so we are under no obligation to install filters. We are not a rich community, but we have excellent local and state support. I think many libraries are finding the money they receive from the government is offset by the money spent installing and maintaining the filters. Some libraries try to compromise by turning off filters for adults and back on for children, but that wastes staff time.

I'm glad the librarians in your city stuck to principle!