The primary mission of libraries is to provide equitable access to information. In order to respond better to the information needs of citizens, libraries now offer Internet services. This resource involves new responsibilities for librarians.

Librarians have to supervise the use of the Internet, because it is not possible to make a careful selection of Web sites comparable to the selection of books and periodicals available at the library. The Internet is unregulated.

By virtue of citizens’ Right to Intellectual Freedom, all persons may choose whatever forms of knowledge, creativity and intellectual activity that they wish to use, as well as being free to express their own views and opinions publicly.

As a result, some Web surfers, either by choice or because they lack technical skills, visit sites where the content is inappropriate. Several libraries have been criticized when young people visit sites that are unsuitable, offensive, illegal or targeted to adults.

What does a librarian do to respect the Criminal Code of Canada concerning access to explicit materials related to obscenity, child pornography, hate literature and sedition? How does a librarian intervene when a surfer accesses such content? How does a librarian protect young people from illegal content or material inappropriate to their age? When a person is accessing illegal materials, should library staff limit access to the Internet, install filters or call the police?

In order to respect the rights of all persons and in the interests of children, it is important for the library to develop and publicize its Internet Use Policy, which identifies the responsibilities both of the library and of adults, parents and children.

However, the library should not adopt measures that limit free access to the Internet. In order to meet the needs of each person, you will also want to:

• Be knowledgeable about the laws and regulations that guide Internet use in Canada. Train staff to make the distinction between illegal material and offensive content. To learn more, look for Reporting Offensive and Illegal Internet Content in the right sidebar.
  
  
• Teach staff, adults, parents and children to use the technology.
  
  
• Post the Internet Use Policy in a prominent place and inform users of its contents.
  
  
• Install screen protectors to ensure the confidentiality of a user’s search.
  
  
• Establish limits on the time that a user can be on the Internet by hour and day.
  
  
• Review the search history after each session and erase the memory statement. To find out what to do, consult Tracking Where Kids Have Been Online in the right sidebar.
  
  
• Put the children’s Internet stations close to reference or to circulation.
  
  
• Suggest sites developed exclusively for children on the library Web site.
  
  
• Organize Web Awareness Workshops for staff, adults, parents and young people on the Right of Freedom of Expression and the responsibilities of each group supervising young people when they are surfing the Net.
  
  
• Offer varied resources (books, fact sheets, etc.) on the use of the Internet to users at the workstations.
  
  
• Teach young people to be critical of the information they find. [1]

In addition to the above, we suggest ways to develop guidelines for an Internet use policy for the library. As well, you will be able to learn about the challenges of filtering software and about the laws and rulings related to the use of the Internet in Canada. We also present examples of best practices to guide you in your efforts to ensure responsible use of the Internet in your library.

[1] This list has been compiled from two main sources:

Canadian Library Association. “Internet Services in the Library - A Matter of Trust” in Net Safe; Net Smart: Managing and Communicating about the Internet in the Library. P. 2. Online, November 2000.
http://www.cla.ca/netsafe/netsafe.pdf (Viewed online December 2008)

American Library Association. Libraries & the Internet Toolkit. P. 4. http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/oif/
iftoolkits/litoolkit/default.cfm
(Viewed online December 2008)

Managing the Internet in the Library
[Internet Use Policy] [Filters at the Library] [Laws and Regulations] [Best Practices]

Communications and Promotion Toolkit