Provides a preliminary assessment of the impact of the September 11 attacks on public and private information infrastructures. Topics include the role of information technology in future homeland security initiatives; continuity and recovery plans; decentralization of operations; and the development of system redundancies to eliminate single…

Provides examples of how federal agencies have responded to the possibility that terrorists could use information on their Web sites to plan further attacks, following the September 11 attacks. Discusses implications of the removal and alteration of government information and offers suggestions for developing a government-wide Web site policy.…

Discusses implications of the U.S.A. Patriot Act, antiterrorism legislation that was passed after the September 11 attacks, regarding privacy issues. Highlights include information privacy; privacy and government, including increases in the surveillance powers of government; privacy and the private sector; and future possibilities. (Author/LRW)

In an interview, Microsoft CEO Bill Gates answers questions about the Gates Library Foundation; Libraries Online; tax-support for libraries; comparisons to Andrew Carnegie; charges of "buying" the library market; Internet filters, policies, and government censorship; the future of the World Wide Web and the role of librarians in its…

Discusses copyright considerations in multimedia development, and provides a checklist for teachers and students based on the United States House of Representative's "Fair Use Guidelines for Educational Multimedia" (1996) and the Association for Computing Machinery's "Interim Copyright Policies." Describes three copyright use…

Examines information policy in Singapore and compares some aspects of it with Australia. Discusses developments in Singapore since the publication of the "Library 2000" report in 1994 and public library services. Concludes that Australia is set to become an underdeveloped nation in Asian information policy terms. (Author/LRW)

Discusses the widespread, planned destruction of foster care files in social service centers in Quebec, focusing on the issues for the former clients, for the agencies involved, and for the social work profession. Argues that, for social workers, the destruction of the files represents an abandonment of their professional principles. (MDM)

Presents an annotated bibliography of approximately 630 sources of government information on: United States, foreign, international, and intergovernmental information policy; publications, information sources, and archives; technology and automated processes; intellectual property; educational curricula; and general information. (AEF)

A survey of 86 Internet providers in 38 countries found that, although Internet providers felt they had the most control over material accessed, more than half do not censor content. Respondents indicated that some regulation may be necessary, but the cultural diversity in the world will make it difficult to implement. (PEN)

Describes how filtering software programs work, types of filtering software, and common problems that emerge with use. An appendix provides information on Internet-filtering software products, including product name, company name, filter type, platforms supported, price range, Web site, and notes. (AEF)

Examines the need for reevaluating archival principles and practices. Reviews opportunities created to enhance and enrich archival work and difficulties of archiving digital information. Illustrates the consequences in terms of selection and appraisal of records. Emphasizes the impact of digital information on ethical, legal and societal issues.…

The United States has taken only piecemeal steps to ensure privacy of personal information. This article examines the U.S. relating to privacy and data protection. It defines privacy and discusses international agreements relating to privacy, federal data protection laws, and narrowly applicable laws. (AEF)

Presents a vision of how the agency-based GILS (Government Information Locator Service) will be implemented to help the public locate and access information throughout the Federal Government. Topics include policy context, the user perspective, data and information, the provider perspective, design principles, functional requirements, and GILS…

Illustrates a case of a student art exhibit in the Winthrop University, South Carolina Library, where freedom of expression interfered with employee rights in the workplace. The Dean of Libraries stated that the library could not act as a censor, and that they were obligated to defend the First Amendment; the controversial statue remained, but…

An important federal statute impacting student records is the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), enacted to ensure student/parent access to education records and to limit disclosures to others for unauthorized purposes. FERPA Regulations set forth the basic federal records retention and destruction requirements. The records of…