The American Library Association (ALA) has produced the Libraries & the Internet Toolkit to assist librarians in managing the Internet and educating their public about how to use it effectively.

Libraries and the Internet Toolkit

Tips and Guidance for Managing and Communicating about the Internet

The Internet is a rich and educational resource for information, ideas and entertainment. No other medium provides us with so much information so easily. At the same time, the Internet has raised concerns about privacy and children's access to information. As the number one point of entry to the Internet outside of work, school or home, libraries, especially public libraries, address these concerns every day.

The American Library Association (ALA) has produced this "toolkit" to assist librarians in managing the Internet and educating their public about how to use it effectively. ALA encourages all libraries to implement policies that protect both children and public access to information and to take an active role in educating their communities about this important resource.

Table of Contents

Foreword

Introduction

Key Messages

Fast Facts

Checklist for Creating an Internet Use Policy

 What You Can Do

 Educate! Inform! Promote!

 What Makes a Great Web Site for Children?

Tips for Parents

ALA and Filtering

Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA)

Tough Questions on CIPA

Debate Over Filters

Handling Tough Questions

Sample Answers to Tough Questions

Helpful Resources

Online Resources for Parents and Children

Libraries, the Internet and Filtering

Libraries, Children & the Internet

 Valuable Links

Key Contacts

Contributors:
American Library Association:
Office for Intellectual Freedom,
Public Information Office and
Washington Office

Permission is granted to libraries to reproduce this toolkit.

Libraries & the Internet Toolkit (PDF File)
Libraries & the Internet Toolkit (.DOC)
 
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This document was last updated December 1, 2003

Links to non-ALA sites have been provided because these sites may have information of interest. Neither the American Library Association nor the Office for Intellectual Freedom necessarily endorses the views expressed or the facts presented on these sites; and furthermore, ALA and OIF do not endorse any commercial products that may be advertised or available on these sites.