Can’t patrons ask librarians to override filters when mistakes are made?
The Supreme Court ruling in U.S. v. ALA says librarians may do so, but critics are concerned that patrons may be embarrassed to ask if they are researching a sensitive topic, such as testicular cancer or sexually transmitted diseases. Having to ask, critics say, also delays research when many patrons’ time on library computers is already limited by demand. Also, patrons may not know information is being blocked and thus would not know to ask.
