For the latest press releases, see Press Releases on the CIPA Web Site Judith F. Krug Director, American Library Association Office for Intellectual Freedom On ALA vs. United States Challenge to the Children's Internet Protection Act I would like to put Nancy Kranich's remarks in a context. Librarians do this by making sure libraries have information and ideas across the spectrum of social and political thought, so people can choose what they want to read or view or listen to. Since libraries provide information for all the people in their community, librarians find, from time to time, that not all of their users agree with all of the material they have acquired. Some users find materials in their local library collection to be untrue, offensive, harmful, or even dangerous.
Libraries serve everyone.
The importance of having the broad range of information and ideas available is that it enables us to be a nation of self-governors. But this form of government does not function effectively unless its electorate is enlightened. The electorate must have information available and accessible. But the format in which information is found doesn't change our role of bringing people together with information they need or want. Filters are mechanical devises unable to think or make judgements.