If only it were as simple as Kathleen Parker would have us believe in her column “On-line pornography invades public libraries” (Op-Ed, June 24). Contrary to what she suggests, filters are not the ultimate solution–unless that is, Americans are willing to sacrifice their right to receive other perfectly legitimate and useful information.
Consumer Reports and other authorities have reported that filtering technology is far from perfect. It has been known to block sites as varied as the American Association of University Women, Fred Couples (the golfer) and the American Family Association. These decisions are made by filtering manufacturers based on technical and subjective reasons, often by low-paid college students. Neither librarians nor library users know in advance what sites will be blocked.
The best filter, of course, is the human mind and knowing how to make informed decisions about what we choose to read and view. Like many other things in life, children and adults must be taught that the freedom this new technology offers also carries rights and responsibilities.
In her single-minded focus on the negative, Parker fails to mention several key points. First, the vast majority of Internet content is of acceptable, if not always excellent, quality. Second, the Internet itself is merely a tool to acquire information that we ourselves choose. Third, most libraries have and do vigorously enforce library-use policies that govern appropriate use of computers and other library equipment. These policies are approved by library boards of trustees made up of members of local communities.
The American Library Association (http://www.ala.org) and libraries across the country offer a variety of resources and programs to help educate and guide the public in using the Internet. I encourage all readers to visit their library and see for themselves how people are using this technology and to learn how they themselves can benefit.
