PRESS RELEASES
BUFFALO AND ERIE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY AMENDS INTERNET POLICY TO INCLUDE USE OF FILTERING SOFTWARE
December 18, 2003 - Buffalo, NY - At its regular monthly meeting today, the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library (B&ECPL) Board of Trustees voted to amend the Library’s “Internet Safety and Acceptable Use Policy” to include the mandatory application of filters for patrons under the age of 17 who desire access to the Internet, announced Board Chair Daniel T. Roach. This decision is in compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) as interpreted by the Untied States Supreme Court in June 2003.
Signed into law in December 2000, CIPA mandates the use of blocking
software or filters for public libraries seeking Universal Service
discounts (E-rate) for Internet access, Internet service or internal
connections, or applying for Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA)
funds to purchase computers for Internet access or to pay for Internet
access. In June 2003, the Supreme Court upheld CIPA, which was challenged
by the American Library Association and the American Civil Liberties
Union, with modifications. These modifications allow individuals who
have attained the age of 17 the right to unfiltered access at their
own discretion, but restrict access for those under 17.
“Over the past few months, B&ECPL trustees and staff have
collected data and considered the ramifications of both compliance
and non-compliance
with CIPA, evaluating the fiscal, technical, operational and legal
issues,” said Roach. “Several factors influenced the
Board’s final decision. The financial repercussions for non-compliance
were serious and could not be overlooked in today’s economic
condition. In addition, given recent advances, the application of
filtering technology appears to offer relatively few impediments
to accessing legitimate Internet content for adults, but dramatically
minimizes the chance for minors to deliberately or inadvertently
access inappropriate or harmful material.”
As stipulated in its “Internet Safety and Acceptable Use Policy,” the B&ECPL will continue to require parental permission for children to access the Internet. In order to be consistent with CIPA, the age of independence for parental consent will be raised from 16 to 17. This change along with filter implementation will be completed in the next several months prior to the July 1, 2004 compliance deadline.
As part of its public service mission, the B&ECPL has provided its patrons free and open access to the Internet since 1998.
For more information, call 858-8900 or visit the B&ECPL’s web site at www.buffalolib.org.
The Buffalo and Erie County Public Library System, comprised of the Central Library, 15 city branches, 36 contract library facilities and mobile and outreach services, is dedicated to enriching the lives of Erie County’s diverse community members by providing open and equal access to information and technology.