[11286] in Public-Access_Computer_Systems_Forum
Re: Pictures on the Web--Responses
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (REBECCA J. LITTMAN)
Fri May 9 20:05:17 1997
Date: Fri, 09 May 1997 13:13:00 -0500
From: "REBECCA J. LITTMAN" <stlittma@ecusun.cis.ecu.edu>
In-Reply-To: <1.5.4.16.19970508175910.442f6bca@uhupvm1.uh.edu>
To: PACS-L@LISTSERV.UH.EDU
Reply-To: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <PACS-L@LISTSERV.UH.EDU>
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
I'm relatively new to this list, and I've been following this discussion
mostly with amusement... but now I've decided to weigh in on the issue.
All of the comments have been well thought out... I agree, I don't think
that there's anything inherently illegal in it, nor is there really any
sense of invasion of the privacy (the librarian not being
able to hike her pantyhose up, notwithstanding). Have any of you ever
tried to identify a _person_ on one of these live-cams? I have... the
University of Washington has had one on their home page for 3 or 4 years
and I have looked to try to identify a person that I knew would be
passing through the scene at that time... it just can't be done. If I
can't identify a person, how can anyone tell what's on a computer screen?
See? Privacy simply isn't an issue.
As for why? Sure, one could say 'because it can be done' but that's not
even the point... We spend our entire professional careers as librarians
trying to convince people that we *are* professionals. That we do
something other than stamp the dates in the back of books and put them on
the shelf... and then tell the patrons to hush.
I think a live-cam would be *great* public relations for us reference
librarians ! People could check in and see how busy we are, how we're
running our fannies off trying to help as many people as we can... People
could even check to see if things are quiet before they leave to go to
the library, making sure that they will be able to get some help when
they get there.
Just something to think about.
--Rebecca
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Rebecca J. Littman ][
Music Librarian ][
with Technology Specialization ][ voice: 919/328-6250
East Carolina University ][ email: lmlittma@ecuvm.cis.ecu.edu
Greenville, NC 27858 ][
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