Lori Ayre's blog

I'm working on my article for Library Technology Reports on library filtering. In researching the article, I'm speaking with library personnel to hear more about their experience with filters. I'm finding a disturbing trend. The belief that just because patrons don't complain about a blocked site, the filter must be working properly.

A 128MB Hard Drive that is the smaller than the light on my keychain and fits into any USB port...now that is one excellent idea! I saw Mary Minow use this device to pop her PowerPoint presentation into my laptop for the mini-demo at the Infopeople booth. No worrying about drives or whether I had brought my external CD drive or floppy drive for her to use (which I had not). Now that's portable!

Well, after spending a week in Pennsylvania talking about filtering and then another week in Ontario at the California Library Association's Annual Conference, it's time for some comic relief.

The makers of our beloved Barbie doll have finally come up with some Barbies that bear some resemblance to real human beings. Well, they seem awfully real to me at least! See if you agree.

Bifocals Barbie Comes with her own set of blended-lens fashion frames in six wild colors (half-frames too!), neck chain, and large-print editions of Vogue and Martha Stewart Living.

Hot Flash Barbie Press Barbie's bellybutton and watch her face turn beet red while tiny drops of perspiration appear on her forehead. Comes with handheld fan and tiny tissues.

Facial Hair Barbie As Barbie's hormone levels shift, see her whiskers grow. Available with teensy tweezers and magnifying mirror.

Flabby Arms Barbie Hide Barbie's droopy triceps with these new,roomier-sleeved gowns. Good news on the tummy front, two-Muumuus with tummy-support panels are included.

Bunion Barbie Years of disco dancing in stiletto heels have definitely taken their toll on Barbie's dainty arched feet. Soothe her sores with the pumice stone and plasters, then slip on soft terry mules.

Post-Menopausal Barbie This Barbie wets her pants when she sneezes, forgets where she puts things, and cries a lot. She is sick and tired of Ken sitting on the couch watching the tube, clicking through the channels. Comes with Depends and Kleenex. As a bonus this year, the book "Getting In Touch with Your Inner Self" is included.

I just got back from a Pennsylvania where I spoke to four groups of librarians there on the topic of filtering technology. Bob Bocher was there too. He spoke on CIPA and clarified (to the extent possible) how the rules work.

The text of each of our presentations can be found below:

• Bob Bocher's CIPA Presentation aka CIPA FAQ
• My Filtering Presentation