Rights Of Library Users

1. Rights Of Library Users By Keao White

2. Rationale for this Workshop The purpose of this workshop is to give an in depth presentation covering the rights of library users and internet access and filtering issues.

3. Identify and recall the rights of library users. Understand and recall the “Library Bill of Rights”. Model and demonstrate a level of understanding for each topic. Identify and recall internet access and filtering issues. Understand what is filtering and what issues that occurs with it. Become familiar with The CIPA (the Children’s Internet Protection Act) Model and demonstrate a level of understanding for each topic. Objectives for Workshop

4. Rights of Library users • The Library Bill of Rights (1939) provides unrestricted access to information and to guard against impediments to open inquiry. • Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgement of free expression and free access to ideas.

5. Rights of Library Users con’t • Under the areas of librarianship best practices leaves the user in control of as many choices as possible. • All users have the right to be informed of what polices and procedures govern the amount and retention of personal identifiable information. • No one’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because origin, age, background, or views. • The American Library Association affirmsthe rights of privacy are necessary for intellectual freedom and are fundamental to the ethics and practice of librarianship.

6. Internet Access & Filtering Issues

7. What is Filtering? Internet filtering is the act of limiting access to information on the internet . It involves censoring information based on specific criteria.

8. What are some issues? The United States Supreme Court stated in 1997 that communications over the Internet are protected under the First Amendment. The U.S. Supreme Court stated that libraries can make content available on the Internet by applying the same Constitutional protections that relate to books and other media. Under the Children Internet Protection Act(CIPA) libraries and school receiving federal assistance for Internet access or grants under the Library Services Technology Act must have in place a policy that includes the user of a technology protection measured on internet-connected computers that protects against access by all persons to visual depictions that are obscene or child pornography, and that it protects against access by minors to visual depictions that are harmful to minors. The CIPA requires Information Technology (IT) officers to have some type of filter in place in their schools.

9. What are some issues? con’t The requirement for implementing filtering software can sometimes create a problem for school libraries. Being that a school library is a publicly supported library as well as a publicly supported school department. Anything that restricted access to information based on viewpoint or content discrimination violates the First Amendment. A school or library must have blocking or filtering technology on all of its computers connected to the Internet. The use of technology must protect against access to visual depictions described as obscene, child pornography, or harmful to minors. CIPA does not require the blocking or filtering of text.

10. Conclusion In conclusion; To a large degree, CIPA (the Children’s Internet Protection Act) has taken the decision to use or not use Internet filters out of the hands of local decision makers. Districts who receive federal funding, including E-rate elecommunicationsdiscounts, must install and use an Internet filtering device to be in compliance. Yet a strong commitment to intellectual freedom on the part of the SLMS is possible even in a filtered environment.

11. Hands On Activities: Rights of Library Users Activity: Everyone will get into groups of fours. Each group will receive a copy of The Library Bill of Rights. Once each group receives their rights, they will have to find a creativeway( radio interview, television commercial, music etc.) to present it to the class. After everyone has presented they will have to do a reflection over the presentations. Internet Access & Filtering Issues Activity: Everyone will get into groups of fours. Each group will receive a copy of an article from The School Library Media. Once each group receives their articles, they will have to formulate an article in their own words to explain all the issues that are involved with both topics and present it to the class. After everyone has presented they will have to do a reflection over the presentations.

12. Workshop Evaluation What have you gained from this workshop? How would you present this information to your local school or community? What are some changes you would like to see in this workshop(if any)? What would you still like to know?

13. References The School Library Media Specialist: “Information Access & Delivery: Internet Access & Filtering Issues” American Library Association: www.ala.org. “Internet Filtering” www.accessola.com