David Burt
Market Research Manager, N2H2
Written for The CQ Researcher, May 2001

In communities across America, a controversy is raging over how to cope with the problem of library patrons using Internet terminals to access illegal obscenity and child pornography.

Like many libraries, the Broward County, Fla., Public Library relies on “education” and “a policy” to encourage appropriate use of the Internet. But a lawsuit against the library uncovered the problems with such an education/policy approach. The New Times of Broward reported that access to Internet pornography in the library had led to “14 incidents of masturbation documented by library and police reports, two incidents of men exposing themselves and one instance of a man fondling a female patron.”

Freedom of Information requests have uncovered thousands of other library pornography incidents from all over the country. The Greenville [S.C.] Public Library suffered similar problems. An internal report discovered that “a large number, perhaps 50 percent, of the users on one afternoon were young men going to pornography sites.”

Library administrators found that “female staff . . . are intimidated by this activity.” One female staffer stated: “I felt dirty coming home at the end of the day.”

To stop the illegal activity and restore staff morale, the library board chose to install N2H2 filtering software. Since then, abuse of the Internet has stopped. Further, no patrons have complained about being denied access to legitimate sites.

This experience has been repeated across the county. After watching the failure of the education/policy approach, nearly 4,000 public libraries have chosen to install filtering software. According to a 2000 study by the U.S. National Commission on Libraries and Information Science, 24.6 percent of public libraries now use filters, an increase of 121 percent in two years.

Other research shows the filters are widely popular with the librarians who use them. Library researcher Ken Haycock, who recently studied the use of filters in public libraries, found that 76 percent of public librarians said they were “very/somewhat satisfied” with the decision to install Internet filter software. An eye-popping 90 percent of public librarians using filters responded that the software serves its purpose either “very well” or “somewhat well.”

Public libraries don't stock Hustler next to House & Garden in their magazine section, so why should they offer Hustler.com? They shouldn't. Not when there is a tested, effective solution widely available.

Nancy Kranich
President, American Library Association
Written for The CQ Researcher, May 2001

Filters are neither the best nor the only means to protect children using the Internet in libraries. They give parents a false sense of security that their children are protected. No filter protects children from all objectionable content. But all filters block access to critical constitutionally protected speech about many subjects people need to know.

Filters cannot take the place of responsible use, informed by local community-based Internet access policies, user-education programs, links to great sites and safety guidelines. That is why ALA and many other organizations—including the federal Commission on Online Child Protection (COPA) and several filtering companies—oppose federal legislation mandating that libraries and schools utilize Internet-blocking technology. Laws like the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) force libraries in economically disadvantaged areas to use already scarce resources to install expensive and unreliable filtering technologies or lose the vital federal funds they need to end the demoralizing effects of “digital discrimination” in underserved communities.

Thanks to the e-rate and other programs, 95 percent of America's libraries are now online, and libraries are the No. 1 point of access for those without computers at home, work or school. Librarians have worked hard to ensure that libraries provide a wide spectrum of information to our diverse communities. We do this not only by providing access to both print and online resources but also by instructing people how to use these resources efficiently and safely. We identify great sites for children and adults and schedule computer classes. The vast majority of library patrons use the Internet responsibly, guided by library policies that address appropriate use and invoke disciplinary action for violators. Approximately 95 percent of public libraries already have Internet policies.

Librarians care deeply about children. We have dedicated our careers to ensuring that adults and children enjoy an enriching experience and access to quality materials in libraries. We understand the enormous learning potential of the Internet and appreciate the responsibility we have as a society for ensuring that libraries remain safe and intellectually creative environments for everyone.

This will not be accomplished by imposing Draconian governmental controls over our libraries, but rather by allowing the parents and librarians in our local communities to tailor workable and effective policies to protect children from inappropriate material on the Internet.