Date: Sat, 27 Jan 2001 07:12:50 -0500 From: freematt@coil.com (Matthew Gaylor) Subject: LIBRARY CENSORSHIP: HOW TO IDENTIFY IT IN YOUR COMMUNITY To: freematt@coil.com (Matthew Gaylor)
Date: Sat, 20 Jan 2001 09:10:38 -0500 From: Michael Ravnitzky <mikerav@IX.NETCOM.COM> Subject: how to identify library censorship in your area
LIBRARY CENSORSHIP: HOW TO IDENTIFY IT IN YOUR COMMUNITY by Michael Ravnitzky , mikerav@ix.netcom.com
You can identify attempts to ban library books, and assess the success rate of those attempts, by requesting under state data access laws:
the completed forms for reconsideration of library materials, along with the final determination associated with each form.
Almost all libraries maintain such forms as a way of administering complaints about items on their shelves. Usually, such complaints, or requests for reconsideration of library materials, are forwarded to a library staff review committee.
Requesting these forms for the past couple of years will give you a good sample look at the extent of book-banning and censorship efforts in your community, at least with respect to the local library.
One would think that the libraries would be happy to cooperate in such a laudible project by handing over what are usually considered public records -- once the complainant name is redacted ---, but in my experience they usually fight such requests for these records tooth and nail, every step of the way.
Has anyone else done a similar project?
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From: simparl@aol.com Date: Fri, 19 Jan 2001 19:18:12 EST Libraries Sue to Enjoin Enforcement of Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA)
NewsBytes reports that the American Library Association (ALA) is suing the federal government (USA) over the new Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA). The new law requires mandatory Internet filtering by approved software filters in libraries and public schools that receive E-Rate funding.
Story at:
http://www.newsbytes.com/news/01/160715.html
The ALA's press release is at:
http://www.ala.org/news/v7n1/cipa.html
The text of the CIPA is available (in a 36 Kbytes file) at:
http://www.cdt.org/legislation/106th/speech/001218cipa.pdf
Thoughts? Comments?
Steve Imparl
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