Post 5 Facebook in libraries

We were talking about Facebook and privacy concerns in our forum this week and I wanted to read more about it. I found this article by Lynn Blumenstein on Library Journal. http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6664520.html This article the Highlands Public Library System in Florida choosing to allow access to Facebook in the library. I guess the county commissioner, Jeff Carlson voiced his opinion and said the library should bot be an entertainment center and should focus on education and research. I guess this man has had arguements with the library before and librarians are annoyed. Carlson also complained about library budget and said the library should not be buying best sellers because they are too expensive. The library blog discuss what librarians and users thought of the comments made by Carlson. One post stated, "Media, no matter the kind, stretches the mind, builds vocabulary and most certainly has its place, uncensored, in a public library". I agree with this statement. There are not just book anymore. The web is used for research and education all the time. I am not sure why Facebook is the issue. This man is obviously out of date and out of tune with the library world. He can do his research and someone else can read the best seller. This article feels about 70 years old. It seems this guy also thinks he has a say in what is allowed at the library, I wonder why? Does county commissioner create collection development plans??? Why would he think public libraries would only focus on research and education? Public libraries are access centers, not just places to do research?

Post 4 I'm embarrassed for these people!

OMG! Really sums this article up. This article by Alison Flood http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2009/jun/12/christian-group-sues-burn-gay-teen-novel discusses a Christian group that is sueing the city library because the "sexually explicit" teen book "Baby Be-Bop" by Francesca Lia Block. The claim states the Christians were emotional tramatized by this book and has asked the judge to grant them permission the publicly BURN the book along with 120, 000 dollars for emotional damages, of course. Can you believe this? They said the book makes fun of Christians and being exposed can damage you and "put one's life in possible jeopardy, adults and children alike." They actually said this. You would think this book is SATAN'S Bible or something. The city is willing to fight it, of course, but how troubling. There really is an entire group of people challanging this book saying their lives are at stake if it remians avaliable. This really embarrasses me as a Christian. There is nothing Christ like about thier behaivor and they are really making a mockery of all Christians. They are making Christians look ignorant and full of hate. I completely disagree with thier actions an believe in intellectual freedom for everyone. I think this case really challanges our freedom. Why do they want to burn it? What will that do? Burning one book will not rid the nation of this book. What are they thinking? I think it is a bit theatrical and just way too much. I would bann these people from the library, what a joke. They are really getting people to read the book though, so I guess that is positive.

Post #3

I stumbled on this article while browsing one day. I thought it was interesting because the author, Stephen Lendman, discusses the issues we are covering in class. He approaches online censorship by addressing the COPA and then continues to discuss other areas online that are now being censored including craig's list, social networking in general, and general conversation. He said the Communications Decency Act has limited what is allowed online use in school and libraries and explains how it violates freedom of speech. The author compares the internet to a "soon to be" cable like company where big companies will provide access like tv station and will also limit access. He explains the internet is the last hope for democracy to protect the first amendment.
This author really discusses a lot of issues. It is a great reference article to issues facing online censorship. He uses describes the several attempts made by the federal government to gain control over waht is on the internet and what we able to view. It seems to me the government is using controls to censor children, in the name of protection. Call me paranoid but I think it is censorship in general and we call it child protection. I think parents should protect their children and censor information they see on the internet, not the government. I feel like our society has taken the role of parenting from parents and expects schools, libraries, and cable companies to protect the minds of our children. It is the role of the government to make these rules to protect children, it should be on the parents.
URL: http://www.baltimorechronicle.com/2009/052209Lendman.shtml
Emily

Montana supports gay literature!!

I found this article from a Montana news station. The article describes a library that has been faced with a book challenge. The book, “The Joy of Sex” was recommended for removal due to the “The Joy of Gay Sex” chapter. The challenge was handled by the board and they actually addressed the public to explain intellectual freedom and both party’s opinion. The library, “Lewis and Clark Library” in Montana was granted an award for their excellent solution to the challenge. They were awarded the “Montana Library Association’s Intellectual Freedom Award”. The article link is: http://www.montanasnewsstation.com/Global/story.asp?S=10383612&nav=menu227_5
I thought this was a great report. My last blog was a negative report about the government and I wanted to do something different thing time. This article is a good representation of how the system can work. I am sure the anti-gay book challenger was disappointed, but it is good for anyone to be reminded that everyone has intellectual freedom rights.
I strongly support his library and will I thought the board’s decision to address the public was a good one. I think it take a little reminder to tell everyone, “Hey, we’re a public library and we serve the public, not just the heterosexual public”. Some people forget what a library is all about and they also forget that they take part in the public library that respects intellectual freedom.