Received: from WUVMD.Wustl.Edu (wuvmd.wustl.edu [128.252.142.2]) by library.wustl.edu (8.6.12/8.6.9) with SMTP id PAA29667; Tue, 5 Nov 1996 15:05:17 -0600 Message-Id: <199611052105.PAA29667@library.wustl.edu> Received: from WUVMD.WUSTL.EDU by WUVMD.Wustl.Edu (IBM VM SMTP V2R1) with BSMTP id 0338; Tue, 05 Nov 96 14:59:54 CST Received: from WUVMD.WUSTL.EDU (NJE origin LISTSERV@WUVMD) by WUVMD.WUSTL.EDU (LMail V1.1d/1.7f) with BSMTP id 0545; Tue, 5 Nov 1996 14:59:54 -0600 Date: Tue, 5 Nov 1996 14:58:19 -0600 Reply-To: SLRLN-L LIST <SLRLN-L@WUVMD.WUSTL.EDU> Sender: SLRLN-L LIST <SLRLN-L@WUVMD.WUSTL.EDU> From: Betty Murr <bmurr01%MAIL.WIN.ORG@WUVMD.WUSTL.EDU> Subject: Internet access restrictions? Comments: To: slrln-l@wuvmd.wustl.edu To: Multiple recipients of list SLRLN-L <SLRLN-L@WUVMD.WUSTL.EDU> Status: O X-Status:
Our library offers internet access within the library facilities at many
PC's. I do not want to reinvent the wheel, but how do busy public libraries
handle the process of allowing patrons to access the internet? Do you
require a library card? Do you log who uses the specific terminal (IP
address)? Most importantly has anyone ever had problems with misuse of the
internet to come back and haunt them?
For example, we have had a couple of occasions that obscene statements were
sent from our public PC's and posted to discussion lists that were not
appropriate. Without a log indicating who and what specific times the
particular IP address was used we have no way of knowing who the person was.
How do other public libraries handle these issue?
This launches into another area for discussion. How much of the library's
record keeping is considered confidential? Would you release a log of users
of the internet to the FBI if they requested it? I view the log of users
the same as I do any circulation file. We do not maintain a historical file
of sites, etc. When the customer finishes with a terminal and it is exited,
the directory log is automatically wiped out. I have no idea of the sites
visited by Joe Blow. I don't want to know. However, if Joe Blow did post
an illegal message from our PC, then of course we are responsible. I would
like to hear discussion about responsibility of internet use and how
libraries are reacting to that role. Do you have procedures and policies in
place to protect your staff?
Betty Murr, Deputy Director
St. Charles City-Co Library
314-441-2300 ext 1561
email: bmurr01@wins0.win.org
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