As I mentioned in Thing #4 one of the problems I had with this assignment was that my campus IT department blocked almost all of the listed sites. Many librarians who have had similar problems have usually railed against the computer folks and have cried Censorship! However it's important to see their point of view as well.
Yes it is nice for the library and library patrons to be able to utilize the new technologies available to use. However it's also nice to have a computer network that doesn't constantly crash or not have a virus that eats your homework. The main job of the IT department is keep the patron computer user happy and secure and we, librarians, often forget that point.
In the long run it's about communication and comprise. Too often I see fellow librarian merely sit and stew over some computer policy that adversely effects them rather than ask for help. Often the IT departments CAN accommodate the libraries needs or at least illuminate on why such policies are in place. Also once the library staff is aware of the IT department's position, they can be more proactive and go out and find solutions themselves that will make all parties happy.
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