Preparation for the Discussion Groups in Week Seven,
Nov 13
To what extent are free speech and anti-censorship positions
fundamental traditions to our professions? As our professions change,
do we need to modify these positions?
Discuss how to handle situations when our anti-censorship
traditions appear to clash with some of our other traditions (such as when
material reflects gender and racial stereotypes, or when a donor will not
give us special collection materials without placing use restrictions on
it).
For what type of materials are age restrictions appropriate?
A general concensus in the library community has been that teaching kids
to avoid certain types of material is preferable to imposing physical restrictions
on that material. Is this a viable position for all ages of kids?
ALA has taken such a strong stand on free speech and
filtering issues that commentators such as Dr. Laura have called librarians
pornographers. Because we're now in the center of such a contraversy
that has already started to affect library funding, was the strong stand
of our professional organization a mistake?