I have certainly been blocked from web sites off and on for probably
the last three or four years, ever since reliable blocking software
became available.  There is usually some way around the problem, using
commercial databases, or just an alternative source. Unfortunately,
since I do not have access to an unblocked computer at work, and am
not
about to bring this type of problem home, I really don't know if the
site that was blocked could have been helpful. We are able to appeal a
restriction for work related purposes, but it usually seems expedient
to
try to work around it. Also, we have to appeal to a central agency IT
department to un-block things, this can take days!

I have done a lot of searching for information on behalf of our
patients, who are not allowed internet access, an have run into pages
that I was GLAD were blocked. Working in a maximum security
psychiatric
facility, I have to be careful! But I can well imagine the frustration
when there is a matter of urgency for patient care at stake.  

And yes, we also block sites that eat bandwidth, for just that reason,
people were putting on news video on their computers, and leaving it on
all day, like a TV! 



Beti Horvath, MLS
Library Services
Mid-Hudson Forensic Psychiatric Center
New Hampton NY 10958
[log in to unmask]
845-374-3171x3625
Fax 845-374-3171x4625



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