Re: The Library Privacy Act and restrictions on access byminors -Reply

[BRUCE BETT]

Thanks Al:

There's been quite a bit of discussion on this in library circles.  Generally
librarians don't mind being "allowed" to used filters, but would not like to
be "forced" to use them.  As you may be aware there is legislation
pending in Washington to renew funding for the E_rate (special rates for
Internet connectivity for schools and libraries).  Some senators have
been pushing for language that would variously mandate filters or some
kind of policy regarding Internet use. 

None of this effects us directly.  As a private institution is unlikely that
we could sued for filtering should we choose to do so.  In Michigan the
E_rate is not available to colleges and universities so we have nothing to
loose there.  Public libraries often feel that they are between a rock and
hard place on this issue with angry constituents on both sides ready to
sue them either for being censors or pornographers.  We are of course
concerned about pornography and other offensive material on the
Internet and about what the government may allow or force us to do
about it.

I recently came across two articles in one of the library journals, one
stating the case for filtering and one the case against.  Both are good
articles.  I'd be happy to share them if you are interested.  


Bruce


>>> "David McCauslin" <spirit@mich.com> 07/07/98 10:57am >>>


-----Original Message-----
From: Jeff Ogden <jogden@merit.edu>
To: mjus@merit.edu <mjus@merit.edu>; mjts@merit.edu
<mjts@merit.edu>;
minwg-share@merit.edu <minwg-share@merit.edu>
Date: Tuesday, July 07, 1998 8:47 AM
Subject: The Library Privacy Act and restrictions on access by minors


>On 7/1/98 HB 5982 was introduced in the Michigan House of
Representatives
>and referred to the Committee on Advanced Technology and Computer
>Development. The bill amends "The library privacy act" to explicitly allow
>a library board to restrict access of minors to obscene or pornographic
>material over the Internet. A portion of the bill is included below. The
>entire bill is available on the Web at:
>    http://www.michiganlegislature.org/
>
While I think it is nice that they thought of the pornographic issues this
time, I wonder why they would include Sec. 6 (B) that states they will
reserve 1 or more terminals that are not restricted.
Personally, I do not think that would go over very well in our library here.
On a similar note, I was contacted by Rep. Lingg Brewer, regarding H.B.
5964 - they will be working on an addendum that protects at least the
K-12
environment from the limitations imposed by that bill.  I told him my views
on that, and the danger that schools would have if the kids could not be
monitored.
So, we may be making progress.

David W. McCauslin
Technology Director
Cheboygan Area Schools