Internet Filtering in the Public Library: Censorship or Customer Service
Keywords:
Internet, Filtering, Library, CensorshipAbstract
Internet access makes accessible to all diverse kinds of information on the computer screen including those that some people classify as not appropriate in a public place like library. The question that faces Librarians is whether to filter the internet in the library in order to remove those materials considered to be harmful or illegal or to say no to filter in order to preserve their traditional role of making information available to the public without reservation. To restrict access to some information is censorship and that is violation of fundamental right of people to
information. This review looked at internet filtering in the public library. It explored into the rationale behind filtering, problems with the use of blocking or filtering software in libraries; and what library can do to promote access to the Internet and the steps the library can undertake in
order to mitigate risk of exposure to inappropriate information to its customers and itself.
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