As Mr. Kleinman noted in this comment to the LAblog, spirited debate is a good thing. Agreed.
Misrepresenting information, however, does not in the least contribute to spirited debate.
The discussion and information posted to this blog concerning Internet filtering at the London Public Library has been in reference to Internet filtering at adult terminals only.
Mr. Kleinman makes reference to a recent ACLU case, ACLU vs. Gonzales. This case refers to the ACLU’s fight to replace a draconian censorship law with Internet Filtering as a means to protect children from inappropriate online content. The purpose of this lawsuit was to protect content producers (such as artists, online dating websites, etc.) from unfair criminal prosecution.
If this blog’s readers are interested in the ACLU’s position on Internet filtering in public libraries for adults, this would be the case that is actually relevant to the issue. As you can see, the ACLU supports the right of the (adult) public to access information freely through the internet in a public library setting, as do we (in case you didn’t already catch that … ).
-PC-
July 5th, 2007 at 5:47 pm
PC,
I know we all want to do the right thing or see the right thing being done. So let me say that other than reading the court’s decision, I can only guess what the ACLU expert(s) said, though the court was quite descriptive.
Be that as it may, would you please consider asking the ACLU for the actual expert report(s) it submitted in that case? We all benefit by that information being available. If you have the time, of course.
Thank you.
July 6th, 2007 at 8:01 am
Regarding your request that I track down an expert report from the ACLU, I’d like to clarify that this is a blog that discusses library issues. It’s not within our mandate to provide reference services or respond to requests for information. Sorry!
Anyone who is interested in more information from the ACLU should contact them directly. To make things easier, here’s the ACLU’s contact information.
-PC-
July 6th, 2007 at 8:56 am
I understand this is a blog that discusses library issues. That ACLU report holding filters are extremely effective turns the entire library mantra that filters are bad on its head. One would think people honestly interested in the truth would, even for themselves, even offline, be interested in getting a copy of that report. I just don’t think they would give it to me, so I asked you to consider getting it.
For people who write about library issues, one would think they would be interested in a report that turns the filters-equal-bad mantra on its head. Especially where the source of that report is the near deity-like ACLU.
Forgive me for misinterpreting your interests in discussing library issues.