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Library will install porn-blocking filters on system's computer

Library will install porn-blocking filters on system's computer

The Toledo-Lucas County Public Library is one of several libraries across the nation that must install Internet content filtering software by July 1 to keep its federal telecommunications funding.

Under the Children's Internet Protection Act, all libraries that receive government funding are required to prevent their patrons from accessing obscene materials, child pornography, and other visual content that the act defines as harmful to minors.

Chris Kozak, the library's media relations officer, said the Toledo-Lucas County system receives between $70,000 and $260,000 in federal funding each year to cover the cost of computers, phone lines, and high-speed T1 lines.

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The library's board of directors is expected to approve a new filtering policy this morning at its monthly meeting at the Main Library, 325 Michigan St.

Mr. Kozak said the filtering software system that the board is expected to approve will cost the library about $10,000.

Following the board meeting, a public meeting will be held at 10 a.m. in the Main Library's McMaster Family Center for Lifelong Learning.

Library officials will explain the new filtering system and demonstrate how the software works.

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The Children's Internet Protection Act was passed in 2000, but several organizations, including the American Library Association and the American Civil Liberties Union, questioned the law's constitutionality.

Last year, the U.S. Supreme Court reviewed the law and voted to uphold the act.

To comply with the new law, filters must be placed on the library's approximately 600 computers. The filters also must be included on those reserved for staff use.

Mr. Kozak said the new software will not disrupt the Internet activities of users who comply with the library's current policy, which asks patrons to "refrain from displaying profanity, sexually explicit graphics, or other sites that violate community standards."

Mr. Kozak added that the act permitted a computer's filter to be temporarily disabled at the request of an adult user.

Douglas Evans, executive director of the Ohio Library Council, said libraries across the state have different opinions regarding Internet filtering.

"There are libraries in the state that are in favor of filtering, while other library boards are against filtering because they feel they shouldn't have the power to say what people should or shouldn't look at," he said.

Mr. Evans said many of his organization's members think libraries should be free to decide whether they need filtering systems on a case-by-case basis.

"Most libraries are of the opinion that it is something that should be determined by a community's standards instead of a federal law," he said.

Contact Mary Stegmeir at:

mstegmeir@theblade.com

or 419-724-6050.

First Published June 24, 2004, 10:17 a.m.

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