Anonymous Patron writes ”
4:53 pm EDT April 9, 2004
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Since 1997, public libraries in Jacksonville have used filters to restrict their computers from visiting pornographic Web sites — a policy that’s problematic both practically and legally.
After a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that libraries cannot filter computer content of their adult patrons, the library board is working on a plan that would allow adults to view those Web sites while protecting those who have no interest or business seeing them — like children…
Jax shows porn and hires non-degreed librarians
I guess one of the “smart college graduates” without an MLS came up with this policy.
Clearwater, Florida hires BA/BS degreed personnel as ‘librarians’ as well. Makes me happy I spent those extra 2 years in college.
Re:Jax shows porn and hires non-degreed librarians
If the community demanded that they filter then they filter. No amount of education would have overridden that.
Re:Jax shows porn and hires non-degreed librarians
Although Jacksonville is a bad joke, I don’t think any member of the library board has an MLS. So the degree has no bearing on this.
I do agree, however, with wasting time and money on an MLS if it is no longer needed. That is a lot of time and money to spend on a useless degree. What is ALA’s take on this?
For the record, I think an MLS IS needed for most professional library work. There is a philosophy behind librarianship that goes beyond anyone with a degree being able to do it.
Re: hires non-degreed librarians
Doctors, architects, engineers–they all used to apprentice then hang out the shingle. A degree wasn’t necessarily required. Only librarians seem to be going in the opposite direction. The degree provides the background and the commitment in most professions. ALA has really not done its job. I knew many fine paraprofessional staff with non-library degrees, some PhDs, in a variety of fields–languages, piano, history–who created their value to the system by working their way up through the ranks. In many cases, it was far more years than going to library school, and the experience wasn’t portable to another system.