“Australia’s public libraries are key players in addressing the need
for equitable community access to online information and services, and
they are also safe places to use the internet,” Executive Director of
the Australian Library and Information Association, Sue Hutley, said
today.
Ms Hutley was launching the most recent national survey of Australian
public libraries, which also revealed that many libraries require
parental consent or adult supervision for children to use the internet.
The Association and Australia’s public libraries have been keeping a
close watch on internet use and content since libraries first began
offering access to the world wide web.
The survey was completed in December 2005 and is the second
comprehensive survey of internet delivery, use and management across
700 of Australia’s public libraries.
“We found that the use of filtering services has increased by 12% since the first survey was completed in 2002,” Ms Hutley said.
“Over 77,000 people access the internet services through public
libraries every week. The survey also showed that only 2.2% of
complaints received by librarians were about internet content, and that
percentage covered all content issues, not just inappropriate material.”
Recent announcements by various politicians about internet access in
libraries have led some in the community to believe libraries allow
unfettered access to the internet, a position Ms Hutley strongly
refutes.
“Libraries have a duty of care and we take this very seriously,” she
said. “The Association has developed a strong partnership with NetAlert
on behalf of our members as part of this responsibility.”
NetAlert is a federal government agency providing practical advice and
education on internet safety to the community, with a particular focus
on children. The agency works closely with the Australian Library and
Information Association and is sponsoring Library and Information Week
this month in recognition of their partnership.
Lara MacDonell, General Operations Manager for NetAlert, sees libraries
as having a key role in internet safety. “NetAlert recognises that one
of the key areas where children can access the Internet is at the
public library. It’s NetAlert’s primary objective to promote a safer
Internet experience for young people and their families.
“We work closely with libraries to raise awareness of the potential
risks associated with Internet use, particularly for young Internet
users,” Ms MacDonell said. “We have created resources specifically for
librarians for their professional development and Internet safety
educational materials which libraries can provide to library users.”
Library-based internet access is safe: survey
Internet access through Australia’s public libraries is safe for children and other uses according to a survey by the Australian Library and Information Association which revealed the majority have detailed guidelines and policies for internet use.
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