Warsaw Library Studies Internet Filtering Issue
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
To filter or not to filter isn't really the question.
The Warsaw Community Public Library board of trustees is aware that Congress will withhold funding if a filtering system is not installed on public computers with Internet access available for minors to use.
The question is which filtering system to use because no system has been officially recommended.
Currently, the library has specific guidelines for the use of its 35 public computers. Staff members glance around the computer room to make sure unacceptable sites are not accessed.
"That works well for us," said Joni Brookings, assistant library director.
"When we purchase filtering software we need to make sure the money spent goes toward the legal requirement," said Mark Morrison, board president. "Our current policy is effective and we ought to maintain it. If someone wants to access a certain site, filtering won't stop them."
Currently the library follows several state guidelines and will terminate any patron's Internet use if inappropriate sites are accessed, displayed or posted.
These sites include those that are pornographic, obscene or sexually explicit; or that violate any local, state or federal statute; that violate copyright or otherwise use the intellectual property, materials, information or files of an individual or organization without permission.
Minors must have parental consent or the permission of a guardian to use the library computers.
Brookings said 85 percent of the computer-using patrons access e-mail accounts and chat rooms and about 20 people are currently denied access to the Internet, some because they owe the library more than $50 in fees.
Without a filtering system the library could lose $15,000 in federal funding.
"It's really a financial issue, not a legal issue," John Yingling said.
Irv Lindemuth advised that a public hearing be scheduled soon. "Let them know what we're considering early," he said.
A public hearing was held regarding the WCPL capital projects plan for 2002 to 2004.
The library is requesting a projected tax rate of 4 cents in 2002 and 2 cents in 2003 and 2004 for the projects fund.
The monies will be used for two purposes: to purchase the automation system's infrastructure upgrade and to purchase replacement and other upgraded computer equipment.
The levy will bring in $200,000 for various projects.
No members of the public spoke on the proposal.
In other business the board heard that circulation figures for March were the highest in library history as 42,470 items were borrowed.
Board of trustees members are Mark Morrison, Ruth Jones, John Yingling, Irv Lindemuth, Larry Chamberlain, Caroline Nye and Joel Curry. [[In-content Ad]]
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To filter or not to filter isn't really the question.
The Warsaw Community Public Library board of trustees is aware that Congress will withhold funding if a filtering system is not installed on public computers with Internet access available for minors to use.
The question is which filtering system to use because no system has been officially recommended.
Currently, the library has specific guidelines for the use of its 35 public computers. Staff members glance around the computer room to make sure unacceptable sites are not accessed.
"That works well for us," said Joni Brookings, assistant library director.
"When we purchase filtering software we need to make sure the money spent goes toward the legal requirement," said Mark Morrison, board president. "Our current policy is effective and we ought to maintain it. If someone wants to access a certain site, filtering won't stop them."
Currently the library follows several state guidelines and will terminate any patron's Internet use if inappropriate sites are accessed, displayed or posted.
These sites include those that are pornographic, obscene or sexually explicit; or that violate any local, state or federal statute; that violate copyright or otherwise use the intellectual property, materials, information or files of an individual or organization without permission.
Minors must have parental consent or the permission of a guardian to use the library computers.
Brookings said 85 percent of the computer-using patrons access e-mail accounts and chat rooms and about 20 people are currently denied access to the Internet, some because they owe the library more than $50 in fees.
Without a filtering system the library could lose $15,000 in federal funding.
"It's really a financial issue, not a legal issue," John Yingling said.
Irv Lindemuth advised that a public hearing be scheduled soon. "Let them know what we're considering early," he said.
A public hearing was held regarding the WCPL capital projects plan for 2002 to 2004.
The library is requesting a projected tax rate of 4 cents in 2002 and 2 cents in 2003 and 2004 for the projects fund.
The monies will be used for two purposes: to purchase the automation system's infrastructure upgrade and to purchase replacement and other upgraded computer equipment.
The levy will bring in $200,000 for various projects.
No members of the public spoke on the proposal.
In other business the board heard that circulation figures for March were the highest in library history as 42,470 items were borrowed.
Board of trustees members are Mark Morrison, Ruth Jones, John Yingling, Irv Lindemuth, Larry Chamberlain, Caroline Nye and Joel Curry. [[In-content Ad]]