Internet filters in Illinois libraries?
Posted by Jacque on June 12th, 2007
Library Journal reported on June 5 that a proposed Illinois state version of the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA), which would tie public library filtering to the receipt of state library aid, has stalled and seems unlikely to pass in the current session.
The bill would require minors requesting that the filter be unblocked be supervised by an adult.
The law would allow unblocking upon an adult’s request, though they might have to state the reasons for their request since the language of the bill does not follow the interpretation of the Supreme Court’s decision that libraries not inquire into the reasons for disabling. All public libraries receiving state library grants would be included.
In protest of the bill, Library Internet service in several Illinois libraries went dark May 14. The Illinois Library Association (ILA) urged librarians to “communicate and/or demonstrate the negative effects of this legislation.” Some public libraries turned off Internet access while others installed filters at draconian levels or handed out literature explaining the potential effects if the bill passed.
If the bill passed, public libraries would be required to attest to compliance in writing or lose their state grant funds. Because of potential liability issues, since filters do not always work the way they are supposed to, the ILA warned that libraries might have to completely remove public computers.
