Librarians, self-censorship, and information technologies

Abstract

This article explores the theme of self-censorship in the library field and its relation to the new technological resources that are becoming very prominent in the profession. A brief discussion of the concept and meaning of censorship and self-censorship is followed by an examination of three broad areas: the results of investing in high-status and high-cost electronic resources; the effect of information technologies on literacy and historical records; and the relationship of electronic resources to market censorship. The author finds that, in each of these three areas, librarians may be self-censoring by not examining the negative effects of movements toward electronic library resources.