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PLA Procedures Regarding Web Links

PLA Procedures Regarding Selection and Management of Web Links

June 2002

In conjunction with draft procedures developed by ALA in October 1999, PLA has developed these procedures regarding linking to and from the PLA web page (www.pla.org) to other Internet sites. These procedures are subject to change without notice.

General Links FROM the PLA web page

  1. PLA links to sites relevant to the Association, public libraries and librarians. Staff will determine when a site is relevant. When necessary, staff will consult with PLA members, or if necessary, the PLA Executive Board, for advice on links. (Regarding challenges to the PLA web page, please see PLA Guide-- PLA Policy on Website Challenges.) Members wishing to suggest relevant and appropriate links are welcome to do so by sending URL's, with reasoning for the request, to PLA at pla@ala.org.
  2. PLA will request permission to link to sites when necessary and, when appropriate, will obtain written permission from those sites. Exceptions to this may be links to federal and state government sites.
  3. All sites linked to or from the PLA web page are governed by this disclaimer:

Links FROM the PLA web page to works of PLA committees or other PLA working groups

  1. PLA provides an area within its web page for committee work and reports. PLA strongly recommends that all PLA working groups submit reports and other work to PLA to be mounted and maintained by PLA on the PLA web page. This allows for consistency and searchability within the PLA web page.
  2. A PLA committee may request a link from the PLA web page to documents related to committee work. PLA staff will review these requests on a case-by-case basis. Requests from PLA committees for links should be directed to the PLA Communications Manager. Where appropriate, these links will be permitted, with the understanding that the site must be maintained and that the link may be of a limited duration. Because the content of the link may not be searchable within the PLA web page and because PLA work should be maintained by PLA, these links will be generally discouraged in favor of submitting documents to PLA to be placed directly on PLA's web page.

Links TO the PLA web page

  1. PLA encourages public libraries, educational organizations and others with like interests to link to the PLA web page at www.pla.org.
  2. PLA asks that any library or organization wishing to link to PLA send an email requesting permission to link to pla@ala.org. PLA will respond promptly.
  3. All sites linked to or from the PLA web page are governed by this disclaimer:

Disclaimer Regarding Web Links

PLA offers links to and from its web page as a service to its members and those interested in public libraries. The sites PLA links to from its web page are selected based on their relevance to PLA, public libraries and librarianship and such links may be removed at PLA's discretion at any time. PLA is in no way responsible for the content or maintenance of the web pages it links to or from. Questions about content or function of linked web pages should directed to the webmaster of the linked web page, not PLA. If, however, there is a question about whether the linked web page contains content that is irrelevant or inappropriate, please contact PLA at pla@ala.org or at 1-800-545-2433, ext. 5PLA.

ALA Document

FINAL DRAFT: 20 October 1999

Selection and Management of Web Links by Divisions and Round Tables

Introduction

This document describes the operating practices necessary to ensure effective management of the ALA website insofar as it provides links to non-ALA websites. Such links may be selected for a variety of purposes including the provision of information to ALA members and member libraries, to other libraries, to user groups, and to the public. Links are provided to support the work of the Association or one or more of its units, defined by ALA Policy 6.5 as membership groups within the Association which have distinct organizational entities. (See Appendix A for Policy 6.5.) The governing boards of these units are responsible for any links provided by their sections, task forces, committees, and other bodies through their websites.

This document affirms the commitment to intellectual freedom of the American Library Association and all of its units. This commitment is embodied in the provisions of the "Library Bill of Rights," which state that libraries are forums for information and ideas for all people of the communities they serve; that materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation; that materials should present all points of view and not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval; that libraries should challenge censorship; and cooperate with those resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas. [paraphrased from the "Library Bill of Rights," Adopted June 18, 1948; Amended February 2, 1961; June 27, 1967; and January 23, 1980 by the ALA Council.]

ALA and its units depend on the professional expertise, experience, and judgment of both members and staff.

  1. Responsibility for Selection and Ongoing Evaluation

    1. The governing boards of units, within the constraints of ALA policies, are responsible for selecting websites for links from their web sites.
    2. The responsibility for facilitating this selection process is delegated to division staffs and round table liaisons. ALA staff support both the decision process and the subsequent dissemination and execution.
    3. Governing boards shall develop selection policies to guide the selection of websites, and the selection of websites shall take place within the contexts of these policies.
    4. The selecting unit is responsible for the frequent review and updating of its website links. (See Appendix B.)

  2. Selection Information

    1. Websites linked from any website sponsored by an ALA unit are selected in the context of the large, expanding, fluid, unedited Internet environment. In keeping with the rapidly changing character of the Internet, selection of websites to be linked from ALA websites should likewise be considered temporary and may change as the unit's focus changes or as the nature of the external sites changes.
    2. All webpages with links to non-ALA sites shall provide easy access to information about the links including the unit or committee responsible for the selection, selection criteria, the date of selection, and the date of the last review. A statement of limitation of ALA responsibility shall also accompany all website links. Required information can be provided by prominently displayed buttons or links to pages with the information. (See Appendix C.)
    3. A website link to a form (or statement) shall be clearly visible. (See Appendix D.)
    4. If there are questions or comments about a link, they will be sent to the unit responsible for the selection of the link. It will respond with a copy to the ALA Webmaster.

  3. Selection Criteria
    (original a. and b. deleted)

    1. The specific criteria developed by units must be relevant and appropriate to the mission and goals of the American Library Association as well as those of the selecting unit.
    2. Links must be evaluated for selection based on their overall relevance and appropriateness. Links will be recommended for their strengths rather than rejected for their weaknesses. A link consists of the page or pages to which a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) points, but not any other parts of the site at which the link resides, or any other sites beyond the link.
    3. Selectors must consider appropriateness for the clientele served by the selecting unit, content matter, and circumstances of use. Selectors must also consider other appropriate factors, such as the authority and reputation of the creator, appropriate use of copyrighted materials, and quality of access.

  4. Handling Questions, Complaints, and Requests for Reconsideration

    1. ALA recognizes that questions and complaints may arise about selected external links from its website.
      1. The appropriate unit will receive questions and complaints about selected website links. Unit executive directors or staff liaisons will acknowledge and respond to all questions and complaints. The response will include the purpose of the unit, the selection criteria, selection procedures, and any decision regarding the site or sites in question. Staff will keep the appropriate governing body informed about questions and complaints in accordance with unit practices.
      2. If there is a pattern of complaints (e.g. recurring complaints regarding a particularly selection; multiple complaints from a particular group), the staff member will advise the unit governing body, the ALA Executive Office, and the ALA Communications Department. The ALA Public Information Office will work with unit staff and officers to develop a consistent and appropriate response.