This sounds like a nice can of worms. I can think of several sites that
I use regularly (for work, even) that would be blocked under such a
policy -- Amazon.com, BarnesNoble.Com, and ABE for used books. Then of
course there is the inadvertant blocking of potentially useful sites by
overly literal software. And if the inquiring person's MIS staff is
anything like mine, they are so overwhelmed it could take them days to
unblock a site.
But the biggest problem with the policy is that it sends a highly
divisive message to attorneys and staff that "we don't trust you to do
your work and not get distracted". Surfing violations can probably be
dealt with via monitoring and counseling on a one-on-one basis. And
there should a clear acceptable use policy in place, with progressive
disciplinary provisions for misuse, communicated to everyone via memo,
and meetings if necessary.
This is of course my opinion only and not my firm's policy. And there
may be ways of making a filtered environment work. As far as I can see,
they involve the same type of educational effort described above to make
sure that people understand why this is happening, who to go to, and who
makes the unblocking decisions and using what criteria.
Debra H. Mack
Library Services Manager
Freeborn & Peters
Chicago, IL
312/360-6736
dmack@freebornpeters.com
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Hill, Byron C. [SMTP:BHill@bowditch.com]
> Sent: Wednesday, October 28, 1998 7:23 AM
> To: 'law-lib@ucdavis.edu'
> Subject: LAW FIRM LIBRARIANS -- INTERNET SCREENING
>
>
> A colleague reports that her firm will shortly be making Internet
> access
> available to all attorneys, paralegals, librarians and administrators.
> However, they are considering the inclusion of a filtering device that
> will
> block access to "inappropriate" sites (pornographic, entertainment,
> sports,
> shopping, etc.). Has your firm considered or implemented such a
> device?
> Individual sites may be "unblocked" upon request to Information
> Services.
> Thoughts? Comments?
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