I got to read a lot of information on web filtering (content control, internet filtering, etc.) today, and almost all of it confirmed my personal view that filters, if implemented, must be used with caution and in an appropriate fashion.
This, the Rock Hall Library, is not a public library. Therefore, one could surmise that it should be used for research purposes mainly. This library will not serve as an internet cafe like so many public libraries do. One would think, then, that filters would be appropriate here; they would keep people within the research context and steer them away from browsing for porn, right?
This is where things get tricky. Think about the one phrase that everyone knows to describe a certain lifestyle: Sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll. What would rock be without sex? What if patrons wanted to browse photographs of John Lennon, and some of them happened to be nude photos? Should the library censor that?
There are so many questions to be considered still, and I am thankful for the opportunity for real-world decision-making that this practicum has provided me so far. I will continue to research this topic, and compile my findings into a report for Andy. These are questions that a lowly practicum student cannot answer, but I am happy to provide the research to help others to do so.
Coming up next: I was able to fit some more of the policy draft I created into the mock website, and I will continue this next week. I will also continue researching on filters, with a focus on different filters that exist and their functions. I also need to work some more on the collection development for works on the inductees, so maybe I will set some time aside for that next week.
Thanks for reading, and have a good one!
Laura
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