Discussions

Was down at the public library the other day and there are signs at the public computer that says that facebook is no longer available.What's up with that?It's "public" access,you should be able to get it.You have to show your library card to use the bathroom,now this.What's next?It's a"public "place.

Just because it is public doesn't mean the Library has to allow all websites. The Library's Internet Usage Policy states that internet access is provided "for informational and educational purposes". I wouldn't think that Facebook (or other social media sites) would fit that description.

My friends Facebook got hacked when they used the computer there. Maybe they don't want you to use personal things until they check the pc's for viruses?

Libraries should not be in the business of controlling what information people access when using public computers. No information need, regardless of the subject matter or perceived importance, should be devalued, as long as it's not causing a disruption. To do so goes against both national and international codes of ethics for librarians and information professionals (CLA/ALA/IFLA).  
 
Still, libraries often do make policy decisions that aren't always ethical and do not necessary provide equal access to all users. The good news is that the public library is accountable to its users and community. If you have a problem with a policy direction at the public library, make a complaint to the library's board of directors. At the very least, they may be able to provide a reasonable explanation for the decision. At the best, your argument to could help change the policy.  
 
 
Edited by Word Bird, 2016-03-01 18:42:27

Exactly!!!! Libraries and schools are public. Why is it when I go searching adult information I am always blocked. This is ridiculous. These places should have no right to deny me access! Lol.  
 
 
Edited by Fishin Guy, 2016-03-01 18:53:22

Yes, fishin guy, I hear you....I can't watch porn at work anymore, I should at least be able to watch at the Public Library!

I agree with CurlySister. Facebook is not a necessity in 99% of circumstances. There are only a limited number of computers at the library and if they are full of individuals viewing Facebook newsfeeds or chatting on messager other people needing to look up specific information would not be able to access it in a timely manner. I see nothing wrong with the library's decision to remove Facebook access...lol I'd be more concerned about having to dig out a library card in an emergency situation

Fishin Guy said "Exactly!!!! Libraries and schools are public. Why is it when I go searching adult information I am always blocked. This is ridiculous. These places should have no right to deny me access! Lol.       Edited by Fishin Guy, 2016-03-01 18:53:22"

I was speaking specifically of public libraries, not all public institutions. Schools are governed by entirely different sets of rules, about which I know nothing. But, I am absolutely certain they include provisions to protect children from "adult" information. For their part, public libraries provide special spaces and computers with more content locks and rely on parental/guardian supervision to keep kids from seeing whatever they shouldn't.  
 
That aside, the ethics statements I referenced in my earlier post charge libraries to resist all forms of censorship, including that of "adult" information. But, we're also not talking about blocking information, we're talking about blocking a source of information. And, I would hesitate to qualify all Facebook content as "adult": by and large, it seems anything but.  
 
 
 
Edited by Word Bird, 2016-03-01 23:00:47

campfire3 said "I agree with CurlySister. Facebook is not a necessity in 99% of circumstances. There are only a limited number of computers at the library and if they are full of individuals viewing Facebook newsfeeds or chatting on messager other people needing to look up specific information would not be able to access it in a timely manner. I see nothing wrong with the library's decision to remove Facebook access...lol I'd be more concerned about having to dig out a library card in an emergency situation "

Facebook may not be a necessity...for you. Blocking Facebook is a value judgement and libraries are not supposed to make them. I have met people who relied on Facebook as their only/main source of communication with family or friends, whether it be because the family/friends were really far away, they had lost their means of regular communication (e.g., their out-of-province cellphone didn't work), or they couldn't afford a phone or computer and they used the library to keep in touch. Everyone who uses the BPL computers has to book their time fair and square. It shouldn't be up to the library to judge what some users do with their allotted computer time as less worthy than others.

curlysister said "Yes, fishin guy, I hear you....I can't watch porn at work anymore, I should at least be able to watch at the Public Library! "

Employers and employees are different from libraries and library users. Your employer largely blocks your access to porn at work to prevent you from wasting work time of their dime. Oh, and actual laws about not creating a hostile work environment and such.  
 
Edited by Word Bird, 2016-03-01 23:08:07

the computers that are at the Public library are not PC based and are locked down , , so there are not able to be hacked ( conventionally) or Keyloged so your friend's facebook being hacked was not through those computers  
the facebook issue and I am not sure is probably due to people just using those computers for Facebook and hogging the (6 only) terminals. If you have your own computer or use the WIFI , there is no limitation  
its wide open  
as well I am not totally sure facebook was blocked , will have to look at that tomorrow  
 
 
 
Edited by hadi, 2016-03-02 00:35:26

as word bird said, libraries are not, or should not be in the business of controlling information, and actually i remember hearing watching porn at libraries challenged in other provinces and it is a right as public libraries can not be in the censorship debate, there really is a lot more to libraries then the public knows but ask someone who has a masters in the subject and you find out a lot, anyway, if it is a time issue then i would suggest limiting the users time on the PC but not censoring the content  
 
an article from SK about porn  
 
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/porn-can-be-viewed-on-public-computers-at-regina-libraries-1.3102646

hadi said "the computers that are at the Public library are not PC based and are locked down , , so there are not able to be hacked ( conventionally) or Keyloged so your friend's facebook being hacked was not through those computers   the facebook issue and I am not sure is probably due to people just using those computers for Facebook and hogging the (6 only) terminals. If you have your own computer or use the WIFI , there is no limitation   its wide open   as well I am not totally sure facebook was blocked , will have to look at that tomorrow         Edited by hadi, 2016-03-02 00:35:26"

so yes I was right about the no key logging or conventional hacking , I was right about the wide open wifi if you have your own device , ( however that might change soon and be limited to one hour per day per device )  
I was wrong about the 6 kiosk computer having face book  
yes Facebook has been taken of them for almost two weeks now. It has to do with internet going though external proxy and a higher up service , as I said earlier those 6 computers run like a mianframe system , so what is done on one is done on all , and if it is done at one location like Brandon , its done every other place across Canada and vise versa if its a policy across Canada then it applies to Brandon as well are not completely , hope that helps  
again if you have your own device nothing is restricted.