Filtering access to the internet in public libraries: an ethical dilemma?

Abstract

"This paper considers the contentious question of whether or not internet access in public libraries should be filtered. It would seem that, in the UK at least, librarians and users think it should, according to findings from the Managing Access to the Internet in Public Libraries (MAIPLE) project. This paper uses the application of the IFLA Code of Ethics and other professional ethical guides to argue that this situation is contrary to our professional ethics, and to propose that we consider alternative approaches to protecting users from ‘harmful’ online content."