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Selection not Censorship
The Asheim Principle:Selection: The Selector considers
reasons to keep the item.Censorship: The Censor considers
reasons to reject or remove the item.
Hot Question???
Money and Selection/Censorship?– How does funding influence the selection
process?– Should funding be discussed in Collection
Development policies?– Is lack of funding a kind of censorship?
What is a collection?
Print and/or electronic Is Access enough? Or must we
always own?Is Virtual/Digital good
enough? For whom?
What is a collection? (cont.)
Reflects the judgment and the vision of the librarian(s)
Focused on the users/the audience– Local
– The External Community: How far? Who pays?
The Librarian Is the Collection!
How is the librarian part of the collection?–The greatest resource
–The prime interpreter
Theft and Loss as Censorship
The Censor as active thiefThe Censor as passive thiefTheft and Loss as signals to collect
more in an area?– Drugs– Sex– Abuse, Suicide, Gender Identity
The Collection and the Community
How to define the community?– Local (Cultures and Languages)
– Network Partners
The Internet as a Collection
Potential to share globally Dominance of English, good
and bad Need to preserve local languages and
traditions Focus on education, employment, and
self-determination Foster cultural appreciation
The Librarian as Publisher on the Web
The Library Web page as a key element in the collection– Finding Aid
– Reference Resource
– Link to human help 24/7
– Publicity and Promotion
– Community Builder/Gateway
Foundation for Selection in the Digital Age
Community Needs– How far?– How fast?
Building the Universal Library– Education, Pleasure, and Preservation– Provide access to unique
local materials while still protecting them
Foundation for Selection in the Digital Age (cont.)
External partnerships and co-operative agreements– Web rings– Content portals– Collection development agreements– Union cataloging agreements– Interlibrary Loan and other resource
sharing
Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Affirming
Literacy Autonomy/self-determination Free exchange of ideas and opinions Political participation Meaningful work Family life Creative pursuits: literature, art,
music, dance, etc.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights--Article 19
Foundation for Collection Development Article 19:
– Free flow of ideas
– Unrestricted access to resources
– Free expressions of opinions and ideas
Universal Declaration of Human Rights--Article 19
Foundation for Collection Development Article 19:
– Eliminating boundaries geographic economic political
Hot Question Should the UDHR be included in Collection
Development Policy statements? Along with:
– Freedom to Read Statement– Library Bill of Rights– ALA Code of Ethics and other
statements of mission and goals
Collections and the UDHR
Article 19. Access to information assumes collections that are carefully selected, organized, and publicized for maximum use.
Articles 3 and 12. Privacy and confidentiality Articles 22, 26, 27. Support for work and
family life requires careful evaluation of resources
The Role of Bricks and Mortar
Buildings for People Ownership and Community Memory The Physical Place of Learning
Principles of Selection
Quality Authority Stability and Availability Appropriateness (Good Fit) Expected life usefulness What needs are met?Temporary? Mid-
term? Long-term? Permanent?
Tensions from Potential Censors
Local Traditions vs. Universal Human Rights
Governmental Sovereignty vs. Global Protections s
Commercial Interests vs. Human Rights– Short term compromises– Long term compromises
Is Censorship Always Wrong?
Is censorship ever justified? Necessary? Special Concerns and Threats
– Sex Gender identity/Sexual orientation issues Access to contraception and other
reproductive rights– Politics
Hate Speech
Is Censorship Always Wrong? (cont.)
– Political (cont.) Weapons and Violence Political Opposition
– Religions Challenges to traditional religions Slander/Blasphemy Questioning doctrine Questioning social policy
– Genital mutilation– Sexual and gender issues
Threats to Excellent Selection
Time Unclear role understanding Low expectations Lack of authority Political struggles among stakeholders Community pressures
Overcoming Threats
Be prepared Know your setting/people Update CD policies Prepare everyone: your governing
agency/board; all staff members Keep a sense of proportion and
maintain a sense of humor Find support inside and outside
Global Service through Selection
Enhancing the world’s knowledge resources Building partnerships of co-operation Connecting collections internationally Aiding literacy Preserving the world’s memory
Contact:
Martha M. Smith, Ph. D. The Palmer School of Library and Information
Science, Long Island University Brookville, NY, 11548
msmith@infoethics.orghttp://www.infoethics.org ICIE: http://www.infoethics.net
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