Every day in school libraries nationwide, students' privacy rights are under attack, but many principals, teachers, parents, and community members do not know much about these rights. Even though school librarians are among the strongest proponents of privacy, the subject is rarely discussed, probably because state and federal laws can be…

Describes and critiques emerging issues about Internet access in schools and school libraries. Discusses software products for filtering and rating expressive content on the Internet, reader-response-theory implications for filtering and rating Internet content, ambiguities, and the role of school librarians and acceptable-use policies. (AEF)

Reviews the technological, political, professional, and educational issues associated with filtering or blocking access to electronic information. Suggests strategies for handling the unique situations that might arise in school libraries and outlines age-appropriate alternatives to filtering. (AEF)

Discusses how to, or whether to, limit access to objectionable material available through the Internet in public and school libraries. Topics include the American Library Association's position; intellectual freedom; filters; personal responsibility; parental responsibility; censorship; creating choices; and policies and staff training to help…

Discussion of censorship in school libraries focuses on Australia. Topics include control of content and access to digital texts, including filtering and Internet access; print resources; documented library policies; the core purpose of school libraries and selecting materials for library collections; and examples of challenges. (LRW)

This book discusses censorship as it affects schools and school library media centers. Chapter 1 is an introduction. Chapter 2 describes who and why some people and organizations object so strongly to some school materials, as well as those organizations that support intellectual freedom. Chapter 3 provides a historical perspective on censorship…

This manual discusses the issue of intellectual freedom as it pertains to library policy and practice and offers guidelines for ensuring the right to read. It is intended for the public librarian or school library media specialist who needs to develop new policies or update existing policies. The book is divided into 10 chapters. Chapter 1 looks…

This handbook focuses on intellectual freedom as it relates to school library media centers and public libraries. The purpose of this handbook is to help public libraries and school districts develop and adopt necessary policies and procedures that will build a solid foundation for intellectual freedom as part of the community and school climate…

Provides advice for making school Internet-use guidelines. Outlines responsible proactive use of the Internet for educators and librarians, discusses strengths and weaknesses of Internet blocking software and rating systems, and describes acceptable-use policies (AUP). Lists resources for creating your own AUP, Internet filtering software, and…

Presents a strategy for completing a library media center policy review, from evaluating existing policies through submitting policies to the school board for approval. Special attention is paid to issues related to the use of new technologies in middle and high school library media centers, including student/faculty technology use, circulation,…

Discusses the library media program for the Duneland (Indiana) school district, two-time winner of the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) National Library Media Program of the year Award, 1973 and 1993. Highlights personnel, staff development, budgets, student access, library collections, technology, Internet and filtering policies,…

This paper is drawn from an empirical, ethnographic study of information and communications technologies (ICT) use among thirteen, low-income twelfth-graders attending a large urban high school and focuses on participants' ICT access in the school library. It examines how library staff members' cultural and gendered perceptions shaped ICT…

Focuses on the issue of ethical use of the Internet in schools, and suggests that by devising and implementing acceptable use policies, and providing students with a set of ethical guidelines, schools and libraries can deal with the situation before it becomes a problem. Discusses and the need for parents to be included in policy formation and to…

This book is intended to guide library administrators--directors and departmental managers in public, school, and academic libraries--through the many complex decisions inherent in managing public Internet access. The handbook systematically deals with each possible element of an Internet policy. It identifies the options available at each…

With increasing Internet access, library media specialists are implementing acceptable use policies to govern student conduct online. Policy components include definition and purpose; rights, responsibilities, and risks; penalties; and parental consent. Effective policies have input from all community members, are concise, and serve as guidelines…