Children, Public Libraries, and the Internet: Is it Censorship or Good Service

Abstract

The American Library Association (ALA), with its absolutist view ofFirst Amendment rights, is doing a disservice to young library patrons.By insisting on open Internet access, regardless of age, the ALAis sending children into an information abyss that will most likely resultin confusion, frustration, and poor research skills. ALA supports itsposition by saying that it is the parents’ role to monitor their children’sInternet use, but the problem of unaccompanied children in the libraryhas been a concern of librarians for years.