Statement on Filtering
Why doesn't Memorial Hall Library
"filter" its computers?
- Memorial Hall Library is a main
source of information for the people
and libraries that use our resources
and services. Filters, as they now
exist, would compromise that main
mission because in addition to
blocking access to undesirable images,
they block access to information that
is constitutionally protected.
- Filters are commercial products
sold by vendors. The library would
have little control over what
the vendors decide to block or not to
block.
- While some federal technology
grant funds may be denied libraries
that chose not to filter, the vast
majority of public libraries have
still chosen not to filter. This
decision is both philosophical and
financial. For MHL, filtering would
cost us far more than we stand to lose
in federal funds. Our local and state
funding is not affected by the
decision not to filter. Our network (MVLC)
has also voted not to filter.
- Determining just who is an adult
and legally entitled to have the
filter turned off, and who is not,
raises issues of our patron's privacy.
Most of our patron records do not
contain this information.
What does the library do to protect
the safety of children?
- Library staff enforces the
library's Internet policy which is
designed to protect the rights of all
library users, while denying the use
of computers to those who use these
resources illegally, or who use them
in a way that is offensive to other
library users.
- The library has policies in place
to help children and parents use the
library in a safe way. The library
does not allow adults to use the
Children's Room computers unless they
are with their child. The library
requires that all children under the
age of eight be accompanied by an
adult while in the library. The
library reserves the Teen Room for
those people of middle and high school
age between the hours of 3 and 9 PM.
In addition, all library staff pay
close attention to activity in the
building, and intervene, when
necessary, to maintain a safe
environment.
- The library staff offers
instruction on the use of the
Internet, and the library provides
access to paid periodical and other
informational databases to assist
students in finding information to
complete their homework.
What can parents do to help their
children use the Internet safely and
successfully?
- Take an active interest in your
child's use of the Internet. Find out
what he or she is using the Internet
for and accompany your child to the
library.
- Set limits on your child's use of
the Internet, both in terms of the
amount of time they spend online, and
on what they are doing when they are
online.
- Educate your child about the
dangers of corresponding with
strangers over the Internet. Tell them
never to agree to meet anyone whom
they "meet" online, using email or
instant messaging.
- Filters are not an effective
substitute for the influence of a
parent. Parental involvement is the
key to knowing what children are doing
online.
- The following two links will help
parents find information about how to
keep their children safe while using
the Internet:
Approved: Board of Library Trustees,
November 12, 2003
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