I include below a fair sampling of the email messages I received in response to a question about librarian use of internet document disclaimers.. For those who want a short and sweet disclaimer, I like the one the Washington Post uses.
My own ramblings in the next couple of paragraphs can be skipped if you wish to get right to the email responses.
One other librarian asked me to consider if a disclaimer was prejudicial, perhaps implying to library users that the internet printout was something less worthy than a copy of a print source. After a moment of puzzlement over an issue that hadn*t even crossed my mind, my response was, no, it*s not. All secondary sources are suspect, but Web documents must, I feel, be treated a little bit differently from other secondary sources, if only because many users endow Internet documents with MORE WORTHY THAN PRINT characteristics, especially people not familiar, and frequently not comfortable, with computers.
As an academic librarian, I view the use of a stamped disclaimer, on documents retrieved from sources other than the official or original source, as a component of our obligation to educate our students on the importance of verifying facts and sources. Just as I explain to them why they shouldn*t cite to a quote of a quote, rather than locating the original quote, I don*t want them to forget that online sources (and not just Web ones) must be scrutinized and judged for currency and accuracy. Since we can*t always have that *teachable moment*, if you will, during a face-to-face encounter, the use of a stamp may at least give them pause.
By the way, no, we don*t use disclaimers here at the Lillian Goldman Library (other than the usual, *boy did I have rough weekend so don*t ask me any tough ones, ha ha ha!* ones).
Internet/Electronic Document Disclaimers
OMB Disclaimer (sent by Mary Alice Baish)
Electronic versions of OMB documents are intended to provide broad public access to the text of OMB directives and other key information. These versions should not, however, be treated as authoritative. The only official versions of these documents are printed or hard copy materials obtained from the White House Publications Office or from official OMB sources.
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From: Nannette Bricker-Barrett <nbricker@co.san-bernardino.ca.us>
Subject: Internet disclaimer
Dear Laura: I posted a similar question to Stumpers last June; there did not seem to be a whole lot of concern...I only got one response. We, however, felt in our county it was important to distinguish material found on the net from material found in print sources; one reason being the misunderstanding of what the net is by many of our patrons.
Anyway, we copied the following statement from the one John Kupersmith of Washoe County Library sent me. We've printed the statement on Avery labels, and any time I send a branch information taken from the net I slap a disclaimer label on it.
"In response to your request, the San Bernardino County Library has obtained the attached material via the Internet from the sources(s) indicated on the top of the printout(s).
As with any kind of information, you are responsible for evaluating this material. The Library believes that it may be relevant to your search as presented to us, but we do not guarantee that it is accurate, unbiased, or suitable for your purpose. "
HTH, Nannette
Nannette Bricker-Barrett
Reference Librarian
San Bernardino County Library
104 West Fourth Street
San Bernardino, CA 92415-0035 phone (909)387-5717 fax (909)387-5880
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From: Carolyn Caywood <ccaywood@leo.vsla.edu>
Date: 1/10/97 6:40pm
Subject: Re: Internet document disclaimer question
I'd very much like to get copies of disclaimers. On the whole, I think this is a very dubious idea. The American Library Association has always opposed prejudicial labeling, and this certainly is that. This idea seems to treat ALL Internet documents as inferior to documents of print publishing. (Unless I am misunderstanding your question?). I wonder if it wouldn't even be libel?
When I give customers printouts from the Internet, I take extra time to help them understand the source -- and by that I mean the particular website, listserv, etc. not just "the Internet."
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From: Kathryn A. Vance - Miller, Johnson, Snell and Cummiskey <vanceka@mlc.lib.mi.us>
Subject: Re: Internet document disclaimer ques -Reply
thanks for the reply - I think you're being wise. I find my attorneys are asking more and more if things can be found on the internet. I have pulled some things off for them, but I always tell them to be careful - I'm leary of what may have happened to a document before it lands in my mailbox Thanks again -
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From: Blake, Melody <blake@washpost.com>
Subject: internet disclaimer
Laura,
Regarding Internet printouts:
We attach a sticker to documents that are from the web: THIS INFORMATION IS FROM THE INTERNET AND MAY NEED FURTHER VERIFICATION. Thankfully, our fast turn-around time has not yet been impaired by a reporter or editor retorting back SO VERIFY IT. They usually value it as our quality control warning.
All the best to you,
Melody Blake
Manager of Reference Services
News Research Center
The Washington Post
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From: <sandy.levy@baltsun.com>
Subject: Re[2]: Internet disclaimer question -Reply
On the subject of internet disclaimers again. Reporters should learn in their training/schooling to cite their sources. They make a big deal of it around here. They're not allowed to use unnamed sources like The Washington Post. I guess lawyers should learn to cite their sources too. In our library, we're dealing with a smaller clientele then in a public or academic library situation, so I probably won't bother for now. We do use disclaimers on our fee based service.
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From: Sheila W. Bankhead 904-872-7500 <BANKHES@mail.firn.edu>
To: Laura Orr <ORR@MAIL.LAW.YALE.EDU>
Date: 1/10/97 5:08pm
Subject: RE: Internet document disclaimer question
I think the citation (web site) is sufficient to show whence it came and thus what it is, and so we do not stamp
Sheila W. Bankhead (Fax)904-872-7507
Head of Reference & Information Services bankhes@mail.firn.edu
NWRLS, Panama City, FL http://www.beaches.net/bcpl http://members.aol.com/sheilaref
Laura J. Orr
Reference Librarian
Lillian Goldman Library
Yale Law School
127 Wall Street
New Haven, CT 06520-8215
Email: laura.orr@yale.edu
Phone: 203-432-7535
Fax: 203-432-9692
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