Apologies for cross posting
PRESS RELEASE 1998/01
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
26th November 1998
Networked Services Policy Taskgroup produces filtering issue paper
Public libraries today face difficult policy decisions when thinking about
the provision of access to the Internet for their readers. Questions arise
on issues such as: do we provide Internet access for free; if we decide to
charge, how much; should we use filtering software; what is the length of
time people can use an Internet terminal for; what type of extra services
should be provided?
To help librarians answer these difficult issues, a series of papers will
be produced by UKOLN, EARL and the Library Association through the
Networked Services Policy Taskgroup. The first paper in the series has
just been published and looks at the use of filtering software in public
libraries. It explores exactly what filtering software is, how it works,
how effectively it works and some of the pros and cons for using it.
The paper does not argue for or against filtering, but does provide
impartial information on the topic so that library managers can become
familiar with all the issues involved and feel confident when they make a
decision about whether to implement it or not. All the papers will be
freely distributed to every public library authority in the UK and also to
other interested organisations. The papers will be written mainly by
members of the taskgroup.
Lorcan Dempsey, Director of UKOLN, says "These issue papers are a timely
and practical tool as libraries start developing networked information
services. They represent an important collaborative initiative in a time
of change".
ENDS
For further information about the issue papers, or a copy of the paper,
please contact Sarah Ormes at UKOLN on 01225 826711. Email:
[log in to unmask] An electronic version of the paper can be found on
the taskgroup's web site at http://www.earl.org.uk/taskgroups/policy/
Notes to Editors UKOLN is a national centre for support in network
information management in the library and information communities. It
provides awareness, research and information services. It is funded by
the British Library Research and Innovation Centre (BLRIC), the Joint
Information Systems Committee (JISC) of the Higher Education Funding
Councils, as well as by project funding from the JISC's Electronic
Libraries Programme and the European Union. UKOLN also receives support
from the University of Bath where it is based. More information about
UKOLN can be found at http://www.ukoln.ac.uk/
EARL, the Consortium for Public Library Networking, was established in
1995 to develop the role of public libraries in providing library and
information services over the network. It now has 164 partners in local
authorities, associate partners in government, the library profession,
higher education, and the commercial sector including the Library
Association, the British Library, the UK Office for Library and
Information Networking, the Department for Education and Employment, and
the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. More information about EARL
can be found at http://www.earl.org.uk/
The Library Association is the professional body for librarians and
information managers, with 25,500 members in the UK and world-wide. More
information about the Library Association can be found at
http://www.la-hq.org.uk/
Sarah Ormes
Public Library Networking Research Officer
UKOLN
University of Bath
Phone: (01225) 826711
Fax : (01225) 826838
WWW : http://www.ukoln.ac.uk/~lisslo/
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