New Article: “Internet Filters and Academic Freedom: Librarian and Stakeholder Perceptions and Their Impact on Access to Information”

The following article appears in a new issue of LIBRES (open access, peer-reviewed journal) published by NTU Libraries and Wee Kim Wee School of Communication & Information at the Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
Title
Internet Filters and Academic Freedom: Librarian and Stakeholder Perceptions and Their Impact on Access to Information
Authors
David Orenstein
City University of New York
Lisa Stoll-Ron
Warren County Community College
Source
LIBRES
Vol. 24, N0. 2 (2014)
Note: Published Online Week of March 22, 2015
Abstract

Background. Filtering software is used in libraries to block Web-based content; this includes parts or all of certain websites, ranges of IP addresses, as well as key word level sifting of search results that delete or do not return all possible and alternative content. There are academic institutions that actively do filter access to the Internet for their students, faculty and staff.
Objective. How do librarians and other key campus stakeholders view the use of Internet filters? The data presented in this paper comes from a cross-institutional study which surveyed senior administrators, IT professionals, faculty and librarians to gauge their views related to use of Internet filters.
Methods. The data selected for this article focuses on a comparative analysis of responses to questionnaires completed by both librarians and senior administrators. However, other outcome data will be discussed for all participant groups.
Results. Results suggest that while librarians as a professional group stand firmly for open access and against filters, academic administrators are split on the role filters play in denying access to Internet content. While faculty and IT staff each view the necessity and value of filters with varying degree of approval.
Significance. These perceptions have policy implications related to academic freedom for teaching, learning and for academic libraries and IT departments, as well as their parent institutions.

Direct to Full Text Article (13 pages; PDF)

Filed under: Academic Libraries, Data Files, Journal Articles, Libraries, New Issue, Open Access, School Libraries