Internet Access and the Public Library A version of this article appeared in the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle - August 1997Internet access and the public library The proposal of several well meaning County lawmakers calling for the installation of filters on internet workstations in public libraries is understandable. No-one, especially the library Board, wants tax dollars supporting access to pornographic material. However, the issue is too complex to rush to a single solution. We also must put the situation into perspective. The internet is a powerful research tool and we have found that 99% of all use of the 70 internet workstations in the central library has been for legitimate purposes. Only a small number of people are abusing the system. We know of no situations where children in the central library were put at risk by being exposed to pornographic materials via the internet. Even though abuse of the system is limited, we realize that we need to find a way to modify our internet access policies and procedures to ensure a proper learning environment and eliminate all abuse. The installation of filtering software on our computers is one solution, but it may not be the best. It is expensive. Software would have to be purchased and installed on each of our pc’s and staff would have to keep the software updated on a regular basis. Of greater concern, is the fact that the solution will eliminate access to many legitimate internet sites. Since the software uses key words to block certain sites, patrons may not be able to pull up web pages that include information on breast cancer or sexually transmitted diseases. One software package would block access to the County’s "Not me not now" web site. The notion that using filtering software is comparable to the process librarians use to select print materials is not valid. It would be comparable to me writing a blanket memo instructing our librarians not to purchase any books with the word "sex" in the title. The assertion that a large number of public libraries have placed filtering devices on all of their internet computers is erroneous. The Boston Public library faced this issue and decided to place filtering software only on computers in the children’s room. Many major metropolitan libraries (Cleveland, Denver, New York Public to name a few) have elected not to install filtering software. And the American Library Association strongly recommends that libraries not use filtering devices on internet terminals because of first amendment concerns. Because there are many sides to this issue, including the fact that other libraries in Monroe County will follow the lead of the central library, The Library Boards of Trustees are carefully reviewing all available options to deal with the issue - including the use of filtering software. The Library Boards of Trustees and staff are engaged in this process and will select the best solution within the next 60 days. We expect to engage concerned legislators in this discussion and to arrive at a mutually agreeable set of solutions | Central Library Home | General Information | LIBRAWeb | Central Library of Rochester and Monroe
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