Rights to privacy and freedom of expression in public libraries: squaring the circle

David McMenemy

Rights to privacy and freedom of expression in public libraries: squaring the circle

David McMenemy

Computer And Information Sciences

Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper

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Abstract

This paper highlights some of the tensions faced in public libraries in the United Kingdom between the desires to support patrons’ rights to privacy and freedom of expressions, versus the reality of modern practice. Considering both privacy and freedom of expression as ethical concepts, it then discusses some examples from the UK where the tensions between privacy and freedom of expression manifest in practice, including around filtering and government initiatives to tackle extremism, as well as issues around cloud storage of user data. It concludes with a discussion on how public libraries and the profession in the UK must struggle to balance the competing interests of patrons and the state, and encourages the profession to address the tensions head on by regular and rigorous debate as to the issues.

Original language	English
Pages	1-9
Number of pages	9
Publication status	Published - 16 Aug 2016
Event	IFLA World Library and Information Congress: 82nd IFLA General Conference and Assembly - Greater Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, United States Duration: 13 Aug 2016 → 19 Aug 2016 Conference number: 82

Conference

Conference	IFLA World Library and Information Congress
Country/Territory	United States
City	Columbus
Period	13/08/16 → 19/08/16

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Keywords

privacy
ethics
freedom of expression
public libraries
human rights
data protection
internet filtering

Access to Document

McMenemy-IFLA-2016-rights-to-privacy-and-freedom-of-expression-in-public-librariesFinal published version, 212 KBLicence: CC BY 4.0

Cite this

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title = "Rights to privacy and freedom of expression in public libraries: squaring the circle",

abstract = "This paper highlights some of the tensions faced in public libraries in the United Kingdom between the desires to support patrons{\textquoteright} rights to privacy and freedom of expressions, versus the reality of modern practice. Considering both privacy and freedom of expression as ethical concepts, it then discusses some examples from the UK where the tensions between privacy and freedom of expression manifest in practice, including around filtering and government initiatives to tackle extremism, as well as issues around cloud storage of user data. It concludes with a discussion on how public libraries and the profession in the UK must struggle to balance the competing interests of patrons and the state, and encourages the profession to address the tensions head on by regular and rigorous debate as to the issues. ",

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AB - This paper highlights some of the tensions faced in public libraries in the United Kingdom between the desires to support patrons’ rights to privacy and freedom of expressions, versus the reality of modern practice. Considering both privacy and freedom of expression as ethical concepts, it then discusses some examples from the UK where the tensions between privacy and freedom of expression manifest in practice, including around filtering and government initiatives to tackle extremism, as well as issues around cloud storage of user data. It concludes with a discussion on how public libraries and the profession in the UK must struggle to balance the competing interests of patrons and the state, and encourages the profession to address the tensions head on by regular and rigorous debate as to the issues.

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KW - ethics

KW - freedom of expression

KW - public libraries

KW - human rights

KW - data protection

KW - internet filtering

UR - http://www.ifla.org/

M3 - Paper

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Y2 - 13 August 2016 through 19 August 2016

ER -

Rights to privacy and freedom of expression in public libraries: squaring the circle

Abstract

Conference

UN SDGs

Keywords

Access to Document

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Cite this