Librarians Have to Keep Eye on Students' Internet Use
By GAIL SCHONTZLER, Chronicle Staff Writer
When she signed up for a career as a school librarian, MaryAnne Coppersmith never imagined she'd also have to be "the Internet police."
As head of Bozeman High School's library department, Coppersmith knows that an important part of her job is to help students learn to use the Internet wisely.
Yet today's librarians also have to be vigilant to make sure kids aren't abusing Internet privileges on school computers -- by playing skiing games, downloading music, e-mailing, visiting chat rooms, cruising for sexy sites or trying to hack into their grades.
"Ninety-nine percent of the students are great," Coppersmith told the Bozeman School Board at Monday night's meeting.
It's only a few who violate the rules, and most are contrite when caught, she said. "But a few are being extremely persistent."
So, even though the whole thrust of their profession is to help people explore ideas, school librarians are forced to keep students from exploring certain areas. They must monitor students' Internet use by checking online and walking around the computer banks.
They can tell every Web site a student has visited, every key stroke typed in, every challenge to the school's Internet filters. No Internet filter is 100 percent effective, as parents are told when they sign the agreement allowing their children to use the Internet at school.
Ethical issues are taking up more librarians' time, Coppersmith said. Some students have faced suspensions and other discipline. Last week, one student was caught looking at pornography. Once discovered, such sites are blocked electronically.
School Board Chairman Bruce Grubbs asked if students have tried to hack in to change their grades.
They've tried, but the school's security system has always been successful in catching them, Coppersmith said. "It's amazing what these kids know about hacking."
Recently, the school district purchased plagiarism-detection software. It's not needed to find copycats -- astute teachers know when students' papers weren't written in their own words, she said. Rather, it's needed to help teachers prove that a paper has been plagiarized.
Bozeman High's library is a popular place. It's open from 7:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and is crowded before and after school.
Studies have found that a strong library is one of the best ways to improve students' reading skills and test scores, and comply with the federal No Child Left Behind law, Coppersmith said.
Librarians also teach how to tell credible Internet sites from untrustworthy ones, said Darcy Lohmiller, Sacajawea Middle School librarian. Students learn Internet research skills starting in fourth grade.
Trustee John Kauffman asked whether students should be required to do their research in books and magazines at that age, instead of the Internet.
Fourth-graders are already using the Internet, Lohmiller said.
The key thing, Coppersmith said, is "teaching them to make wise choices."
Gail Schontzler is at gails@dailychronicle.com
Oh please! There are many low cost filters that will block 99.9% of the porn. The school district just has to have the cahones to install 'em.
Newsflash- Sun rises, sun sets.
Because they rather access pr0n in the privacy of their own room....
While I do agree that it is not good for these kids to be viewing porn sites, I think you need to realize also that they are high school students, not elementary or even middle school. The school is right in banning access to the porn sites, but do not for one second think that, even with schools banning it and parents keeping a watchful eye, these kids will not find a way to view such material somehow, somewhere. Teenagers can be pretty darn crafty.
Additionally, and once again I don't think this behavior should be encouraged, but in many cases these kids are going to be on their own, either working or in college, in less than a year. They will have complete access to the materials if they so choose. Now, once again, I'm not saying the school is doing anything wrong. But, I'm not sure they need "professional intervention" for wanting to see a bit of pornography either.
What is it with the "stop teens from masturbating" crowd? I don't like defending squeemish behavior, but it's as natural as using the bathroom every morning. It's the human animal, get over it.
ROTFLMAO,,,good one. You should be on comedy central.