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MANOR PARK CHRONICLE
mAI 2003
Library, Pornography and Filters
Readers of the Chronicle will know of the controversy that has
surfaced about the InterNet service, which the Ottawa Public
Library (O.P.L.) provides to its users, and especially about the
way in which it does so. As a member of the Board of the O.P.L., I
have participated at the core of this debate. It may surprise some
to learn that at the Board meeting where this service was
reviewed, I was the only one to take a very 'firm' stance that the
library’s InterNet policy apply to everyone, young or old. I also
advocated that standards apply for use of our publicly funded
library system to access the InterNet. I based my position,
astonishingly enough, on the library's own Materials Selection
Policy (available on the web in English at
http://www.library.ottawa.on.ca/english/about/policy/mat1.htm
; et en français au
http://www.biblio.ottawa.on.ca/francais/apropos/politique/mat1.htm
). It is very much part of the corporate 'culture' of our library
and, indeed, of library associations in general, that there be
intellectual freedom and that libraries promote intellectual
freedom. The intent, of course, is to oppose censorship. If you
know me at all you must know that I would not want to frustrate
intellectual freedom. The O.P.L.’s Materials Selection Policy,
however, makes it clear that, when acquiring materials for its
collection - (materials which will include books, periodicals,
audio and, increasingly, video information) - standards (i.e.
criteria) will be applied. The O.P.L.’s policy refers to (and
incorporates) the Ontario Library Association’s Statement on the
Intellectual Rights of the Individual which states, in part, “That
it is the responsibility of libraries to maintain the right of
intellectual freedom and to implement it consistently in the
selection of books, periodicals, films, recordings, other
materials, and in the provision of access to electronic sources of
information, including access to the Internet.” It also states,
“That it is equally part of the library's responsibility to its
public to ensure that its selection of material is not unduly
influenced by the personal opinions of the selectors, but
determined by the application of generally accepted standards of
accuracy, style and presentation.” (Emphasis added). Moreover, the
O.P.L.’s own policy stipulates the criteria that it will apply
when purchasing materials. For instance,
• Suitability of subject, style, and reading level for intended
audience
• Authority or significance of author
• Quality of writing, production, and illustration
• Authority and standards of publisher
• Recommendations by critics or reviewers
are some of those criteria. Items need not meet all criteria to be
acceptable.
It is clear that the Library doesn't buy anything at all. That is
why I felt comfortable that we should apply a similar approach to
the InterNet as a source of material or information. That is, we
should make it clear that we don't 'buy' anything at all through
the InterNet either (I put "buy" in quotes because frequently the
material is free - it's the access that we are buying or
providing). One of the bug-a-boos that is raised is that the
filters are not perfect - they will sometimes not filter out what
they were intended to remove and, worse yet, remove material that
they should not have removed. So, welcome to an imperfect world.
I'll wager that our staff, in making their judgments on what
material to buy, will sometimes err as well - in either direction!
I believe that this is a consistent, logical approach. It is
certainly consistent with our current policy on purchasing
materials. Of course, there may be those who will claim that our
current purchasing practices need to be amended - but that's a
debate for another day.
I tried mightily at the Board to convince my colleagues of
soundness of this approach and could not find even one to second
my motion. I believe that the greater fear was the fear of
appearing to be associated with those who would condone censorship
of all sorts, book burnings, and the like. The stronger 'political
correctness' was not to appear to be against intellectual freedom.
I believe that building on our current acquisition policy gives us
a balanced and reasonable approach. Although the matter may have
been reconsidered by the time this reaches you, I would be
interested in your thoughts on the subject.
You can communicate with me at (please include a telephone
number):
City of Ottawa
110 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa ON K1P 1J1
Tel: 580-2483, Fax: 580-2523
E-mail:
jacques.legendre@ottawa.ca
Web Site:
www.rideau-rockcliffe.com
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