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

Abstract

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