Reading assignment (for August 15, 2009)

The IFLA Internet Manifesto

http://archive.ifla.org/III/misc/im-e.htm

Abstract
The paper explains the published statement of the International Federation of Library Association (IFLA) consistent to the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights’ Article 19 that “everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression. “ To achieve the essence of freedom, equality, global understanding and peace, barriers to information must be removed to provide access to information. In relation to this, the said organization encourages all and majority to the libraries to implement and observe the created manifesto.

What I have learned:
1. That the primary responsibility of the library and the information profession was the freedom of access to information.
2. It is good to have a mother or a universal organization like the IFLA for example which has the authority to produce a set of standards/guidelines and hopefully will be strictly implemented.
3. I realized the importance of the principle IFLA has that “access to internet especially in libraries should be without charge” because this kind of service is a part of the library.

Application/Implication
I am really in favor to freedom of access to information but there are also factors that need to be considered like the degree or level of restrictions to information specifically to those that are highly confidential or private in nature. Issues like censorship are intertwined with the concept of free access to information. Information that is for adults only, ideally should not be given to the children. As a librarian, I am responsible in filtering and providing the right information to the right user. I think that the new role of librarians in this modern age is not just to point out where a certain resources maybe but to inform as well as to educate the user in the utilization of the internet and other electronic means in a way it will be efficient and effective.