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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-11-06 PLB MINUTESCall To Order/Roll Call 3400 South Elati Street, Englewood, CO 80110 303-762-2560 Voice 303-762-2576 FAX Minutes Englewood Public Library Board Special Study Session November 6, 1997 The special study session meeting of the Englewood Public Library Board was called to order by Chairperson, Mary Dounay at 7:04 p.m. PRESENT: M. Dounay, R. Greiner, A. Leonard (arrived 7:35), S . O'Leary, S. Ostema ( left 8:50), S. Smithers, B. Williams, and Youth Member, Mike Heberling REGRETS: M. Schwindt, M. Giffin, Council Member Habenicht and Youth Member, Witt. ALSO PRESENT: Hank Long, Library Director, and Joan Clayton, Recording Secretary. Ms. Dounay began the study session by noting that the meeting this evening was for the 9 purpose of drafting an Internet proposal policy as a result of public concerns and concerns brought forward by Council Member Laurie Clapp. At the regular Library Board meeting to be held on Tuesday, November 11 at 7 p.m. in the Perrin Room, there will be time for public input and comment on the proposed Internet policy as adopted by the Library Board. Once the policy has been adopted by the Board, it will then be sent to City Council for their approval. Ms. Dounay asked Ms. Smithers to write on the board concerns about the Internet and possible solutions with regard to concerns that have been raised by public comment. Each Board Member was asked in turn to express the concerns as they view them and possible solutions as part of a brainstorming process. Those concerns that are currently not being addressed as mentioned by those present were; accidental exposure to pornography, hate groups and incendiary devices; and no filtering of all terminals. Ideas mentioned to address these concerns were: signage on the terminals (nearby or as part of the initial screen) providing a warning of material that may be found on the Internet; educate patrons as to what is on Internet. Several Board members said they felt that the public needs to be made more aware of the guidelines for Internet use. Ms. Dounay said that her feeling was that there have been in place "practices" for the use of the Internet since January of this year. These practices were put into place to be used during the time needed by the Board to study legislation before the Supreme Court and to monitor the use of the Internet by the public. It was intended that these practices would then be used as a basis for any written policy to be brought before the Board for approval. The Supreme Court handed down their decision in July, the Library Board did not meet in August , and 9 therefore September was the first time for review since the Supreme Court ruling. More information was requested from the Board for the October meeting, no decision was made at that meeting. After the October meeting Council Member Clapp proposed a policy be adopted by City Council for the Library. City Council at a public meeting stated that they felt the Library Page 2 Board should be given time to write a proposed policy for Internet use and a 30 day period was given. This necessitated a special meeting to draft a policy, a meeting for public input and then a final draft for City Council. Discussion followed about parental permission slip . Ms . Ostema said she felt that permission slips were needed to help make the parents responsible for their children and that the permission slips would address the concerns of the community. Ms. Dounay shared material she had received from the ACLU stating that the public library cannot deny access to materials for persons under the age of 18 if they have no permission slips. This opinion is based on the CDA ruling from the Supreme Court . Currently there is a potential challenge of use of the Internet filters in libraries in Kern County, California. The Supreme Court says that all persons shall have access, and that the library cannot limit. Libraries who are currently using filters are also finding themselves under litigation. Ms. Ostema asked if by not taking any action the City would be liable for litigation if someone is harmed . Ms. Ostema , after having given the Boulder Public Library's Policy to the Board , stated that at this time policy should focus upon requests of the community held at the Coffee With Counci l meeting , that either filters should be used or taking out t he Internet terminals. Ms. Greiner said she is concerned that we will loose patrons using limits and worse if we take out the terminals. Mr. Heberling asked what were the results of the Internet user survey that had been done . Ms. Ostema expressed outrage that there had been a survey done by some Board Members and that all the Board had not been notified. She stated that it was "just criminal and unfair'' how she and others had not been notified of the survey. She asked that it be put in the record that she "highly objected to how the survey of Internet users had been handled". Ms. Williams explained that she had organized the informal survey and asked for help from other Board Members and Friends of the Library to administer it. Because the timing was so abbreviated due to tonight's meeting , all members of the Board had not been contacted . Ms. Williams said she had felt a survey would be helpful for discussion of what Internet users see as problems with the Internet and how they would feel about permission slips. Mr. Long again explained the time constraints of the need for a decision based on Council's request of a 30 day turn around for a policy to be brought before them . Ms. Dounay again said that the practices have been in place since January , monitored for problems and acceptance prior to being put down as written policy. Ms . Ostema once again asked that it be noted that she was "embarrassed by how the survey was done." Ms. Williams went over the results of the survey (see attached) and stated that it was an unscientific and unsophisticated survey . Mr. Long passed out handouts including an article from the ALA publication Library Hotline concerning the possible ACLU case in Kern County , Calif.; a memo concerning a survey he had conducted of other libraries in Colorado regarding the use of filters and permission slips for Internet use; examples of disclaimers used by other libraries for Internet use. After brief discussion of these disclaimers it was asked if Englewood could have a screen for a disclaimer concerning Internet content displayed when a patron logged into the Internet. Mr. Long said he would check with Information Services who handle our Internet Services. Mr. Long then passed out to those Board Members present a draft of a public Internet Service Policy, and a draft of Internet Rules to be posted by Internet terminals. Mr. Long said that the policy draft encompassed the practices now in effect in the Library. Though there had not Page3 ebeen a written policy previously, there have been Board approved practices used as policy in · effect since January. Because the practices had not been called policy , Ms. Dounay stated she fe lt this may have been the cause for public confusion and statements that there was no policy for the use of the Internet. For the benefit of the public attending the meeting, Mr. Long read aloud the proposed policy. Ms . Ostema objected to the "waste of time" having Mr. Long "read to us ". As there were no other objections Mr. Long continued. Ms. Ostema objected to being handed a policy and asked to reword , rework and vote on the policy at the meeting when the written proposal handed to us could have been mailed to us with the Agenda so that we would be prepared and not have t o waste time starting from scratch. Ms. Dounay pointed out that this is what the Agenda indicated was the point of the meeting this evening. Discussion ensued . A fact sheet about the Internet had been prepared by Ms. Pat Jurgens, Automated Services Librarian and Mr. Long to be used to inform the public about the Internet. This Fact Sheet as a draft copy was also discussed at length . Ms. Ostema asked how long the meeting would last. Ms . Dounay indicated as long as it takes to get these drafts in a written form for approval. Ms. Ostema said this was unacceptable and that she had to leave. Ms. Dounay opined t hat this was part of the trouble with getting a policy adopted ; that Ms . Ostema wou ld challenge Board Members opinions and not stay at the meetings and discuss the differences. Ms. Ostema then left. Mr. Long reiterated that a policy needed to be adopted so there would be a policy proposal for public comment. e 97 -32 Motion: That the draft proposed policy on Public Internet Service be adopted as amended. Moved by: Shannon O'Leary Seconded by: Ruth Greiner 6 Ayes Letters of support of the current practices to be proposed as policy from Marge Schwindt and Margaret Giffin were entered into the record. Ms . Ostema had left prior to the vote . The Board next looked at t he draft of an Internet Fact Sheet. This would be available in the library after a policy is adopted and approved. Discussion ensued. 97 -33 Motion: That the draft of the Internet Fact Sheet be adopted as amended. Moved by: Ruth Gre iner Seconded by: Shannon O 'Leary 6 Ayes Ms. Dounay briefly went over that the meeting on Tuesday , November 11 will be part public fo rum and part regular meeting. The first part of the meeting will be devoted to public comments , limited to 5 minutes in length . All Board Members are encouraged to encourage e community members to attend. There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m. November 1, 1997 Mary Dounay, Chairman Englewood Library Board Englewood Public Library 3400 South Elati Street Englewood , Colorado 80110 Dear Mary and Fellow Board Members: As you know, I recently underwent surgery on my right knee and have been unable to attend the past two meetings of the Library Board. I have, however, kept up to date with Library Board activities through reading my minutes and talking with other members of the Board. I am distressed by what I perceive as the efforts of a few people to override the Library Board in determining what is the best policy for this library. It was my understanding when I applied for the Library Board and was appointed by City Council that this was one of our primary responsibilities . In particular, I object to the proposed policy ofrequiring children to get permission from their p ar ents before using the Internet terminals in the Library, and I am particularly opposed to chargin g parents for this or any other Library service. Likewise , I am completely opposed to putting filt ers on the terminals used by adults. I don't think we should attempt to censor what adults see or read. I think that the way that the Library is currently handing the situation works just fine, and I support the current practice. Since it appears that I will be unable to attend either of the upcoming Library Board meetings dealing with this issue , I would like this letter read into the official minutes to represent my point of view . Sincerely, .fM~i~.-J~ Marjofte Schwindt 3675 South Cherokee Englewood, Colorado 80110 Copy to City Council I 9 1 I I ' I i e : f l I . I I I 1 I I I I I I I I I Margaret R. Giffin, Ed.O. 4660 South Inca Street Englewood, Colorado 8011 O .Mrs. Mary Dounay Chairperson Englewood Public Library Advisory Board Dear Mrs. Dounay: As a Library Advisory Board member, I have listed below the items with which I agree and those that I cannot support. Since I will be in a school library media conferenc e in Beaver Creek and will lead a panel discussion , I cannot attend the study session on November 6, 1997. Please read my position into the minutes of this sess ion. I agree with and approve the following concepts. 1) The current practice of having two computers in the children's area with filters and six computers in the open area in front of the Reference Desk with no filters should continue. This will to provide access to the Internet as a powerful learning tool. 2) The current practice of the staff monitoring the six computers in the open area and asking patrons to vacate sites which are not appropriate to view should be continued • THIS HAS BEEN WORKING WELL WITH ONLY A VERY FEW INSTANCES OF INAPPROPRIATE VIEWING. Patrons have complied with these requests. 3) H possible, the six computers could be placed in a semi-circle facing the Reference Desk. The following are items which I cannot support: 1) The resolution of Mrs. Laurie Clapp. It is not productive to either the Englewood Public Library or the Englewood Recreation Center. (I use both these organizations in Englewood!) 2) A parent permission slip. This is staff intensive and non-productive toward access of the Internet. The svstem we are using is working! Sincerely, ,d~ 1lrgare Public rary Advii~ Board Member 11 -:=:==·==· =-=· =· :;::. ==-=--::: •• :::. ===r:~··:Z· ::=· =::-:: .. :::. =· =~=-:::-=:._.~;;;::;._:E.::: ... ::: ..• :::.~=·z· ===····1u;;:,. >Jil· ·Gii::i:iu:iil:l"'·fi=·· ·iil!:rl··~W·;t;i:·• ·1iii:i:'u '~"h!iiiiiiw1J.·:iiiifa•;i;i;121i;:iii;mlliJ'6'iillJi·itl·ii:i:11' """'"w.;;,. ;;;;;;, ............ :'::: .. ;;;;_:;:::,_::=:. =·A • J :I l ·i ·j IJ l J ~ 1 l ! j MEMORANDUM TO: ENGLEWOOD LIBRARY BOARD ENGLEWOOD CITY COUNCIL FROM: SUBJ: HANK LONG, DIRECTOR OF LIBRARY SERVICES INTERNET SURVEY RESULTS DATE: NOVEMBER 5, 1997 During a 12 hour period from Thursday, October 30 through Tuesday, November 4, several members of the Library Board and/or the Friends of the Library conducted an informal survey of people using the Internet in the Englewood Library. In this ti me they gathered 55 responses. The original survey questions and the public comments are shown below. Please ke ep in mind that not everyone answered every question . Englewood Library Users Questionnaire The Englewood Library Board is meeting in a public study session at 7:00 p.m. on November s•h in the Perrin Room. This study session is to develop a draft policy for comment at the regular meeting on November 11, 1997. In an effort to gather information regarding internet usage, would you please complete the following questionnaire. You are also invited to attend the meetings. 1. ARE YOU A REGULAR USER OF THE ENGLEWOOD PUBLIC LIBRARY? YES -48 responses (87%) NO -7 responses (13%) 55 total responses 2. ARE YOU A REGULAR USER OF THE INTERNET? YES -45 responses (88%) NO -6 responses (12%) 51 total responses HOW OFTEN? DAILY -14 responses WEEKLY -21 responses MONTHLY -6 responses LESS OFTEN -10 responses 51 total responses (27%) (41%) (12%) (20%) 3. WHAT DO YOU USE THE INTERNET FOR? 53 total responses (actual comments are shown) • research • software downloads • software utilities for computer upgrades • college info • finance, news, travel • e-mail, information gathering, keeping up on current events by getting CNN online • chat rooms and research information • none of your business • research, etc. • e-mail, surfing, chat reference • horticulture informati on • lib rary research, e-mail access, general web browsing e-mail -1 - • • • e : • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • e : • • • • • • • • • • 'e-mail, although mostly for a listserv that provides astronomical information access to the most incredible resources and my list of URLs grows daily checking my e-mail, chatting, and checking my favorite actress and websites to go to cool internet sites e-mail, chat, school work to find info for college e-mail, music sites information on availability of Elderhostel programs, weather, stock market obtain information about advertised products browsing j ust for fun and relaxation look at movie promos drawings, info on the world , and creativity I use th e internet to talk to other people to see what's going on in the world e-mail information search chatting info heal th inform ation mostly investment and business research to chat or j ust to get pictures of dragons searching for reference material and information on goods and services chat lines , research projects research , chatting, when I lea rn French I am going to travel, colleges che ck ing latest financial news looking up information on hobbies printing out information chatting or for fun or info use job search, long lost friend search searches, vacation planning information on travel, social sciences, science job search , e-mail, business opportunities, misc. to talk to people information on type information, both j ob related and personal job search check news and games travel research papers education hot mail (e-mail) chatrooms 4. HAVE YOU OBSERVED ANY USERS USING THE INTERNET FOR COMMUNICATIONS WITH HATE GROPUS OR FOR ACCESSING PORNOGRAPHY? YES -5 responses (10%) NO -46 responses (90%) 51 total responses 5. DO YOU FEEL THE PRESENT PRACTICES ARE WORKING OR SHOULD WE ADOPT THE PROPOSED POLICY OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBER LAURIE CLAPP {please see attached)? 49 Total responses (a ctual comments are shown) PRESENT POLICY WORKING -17 responses (35%) ' • I think it's good the way it is. • Yes, they are working . No , don 't adopt it. -2 - • I doubt it's necessary. • I don 't agree with the permission slip thing. • No. It limits freedoms for juveniles. • I don 't like the Laurie Clapp idea. • Present. We do not need a permission slip. A • Present • • Generally speaking, I think current policy is working, but may need some fine-tuning on an as-needed basis . If librarians would just "o bserve" from a distance, policy can be modified accordingly. For example: after a while, sign-up was required before using the terminals. This was a good modification tp the policy. • Should not adopt the policy. v • Present practices working . Children 's section has appropriate restrictions. I think most persons interested in pornography on the internet will find access to it outside the library facilities with or without parents permission. If parents don 't trust their child, re: use of internet in the library, they should accompany them to the library. Don 't create a cumbersome process when a problem has not been identified with the current process. • I feel as though they are working. • Present practices are fine. Computers are visible. Most children I've observed seem to go directly to games . Library and information access should be as free as possible. • At this time, I feel the li brary has progressed in controlling the situation. • I don 't agree with the attached form. I'm 17 and have been using the internet forever. Requ iring parental permission will limit some kids access to a better research guide. • Present o.k. • I feel th e present practices are working. ADOPT NEW POLICY -11 responses (22%) • • • • • • • • • • Very few instances of pornography used, however Ms. Clapp's idea sounds very good to protect minors, the li brary, and Englewood. Children should not be allowed to just play on computers anyway. They have them in school. Adopt new policy as attached . We should adopt the proposed policy . I believe Ms . Clapp's proposal is the minimum that can be done to protect children from accessing pornography on the internet. It basically relieves Englewood from liability. I would like to see filters on all terminals until lthe i nternet industry is more organized and controlled. Yes. It appears the "ki ds" use the internet more for entertainment rather than productive use. I do not know if "they" are viewing porno, but a more restrictive policy would discourage usage. I am not aware of the present practices but would want an access card with parental supervision for my children if they were to ever use the internet. Adopt the policy to protect the library . Adopt proposed policy . Have no idea what the present practices are. However, the proposed policy of Laurie Clapp appears to be acceptable. Yes , I think the minors policy is a good idea . UNSURE (or unclear) -21 responses (43%) • I don 't know the policy • Present practices seem ok, but I'm not opposed to the proposed policy. The terminals are well in view of most everyone, and I think occasional monitoring is ok seeing that it's a public library. • Don 't know. Seems a bit strong. Perhaps some supervision. • Not sure . • I feel that safeguards are important. The problem is whose values become adopted to restrict access. This is a very tough is sue . I tend to side with less restrictions and more supervision. • Maybe. • Maybe. • Ye s. • It doesn't really matter. My parents know what I do. My friends don 't think of pornography or to misuse the internet. Sorry tor not that much help. -3 - • • • e · • • • • • • • • I have to think about this some more. But some form of "control" probably needs to be included . Fine . I don 't care one way or the other . No. No , I th in k that it should not be done Yes . Yes . I thin k everyone should be held accountable for their actions, and if a minor or anyone should be observed doing something inappropr iate, their privileges should be taken away. ~ I don 't know if the attached is the correct answer or if there is a problem with minors using the internet. However, I do know that I am not always able to use a terminal because they are all occupied with young children . No . No . Frankly to tell you the truth, I don 't know what her policy is, and I don 't really care. I don't follow politics , and f rankly people who make policy give me a headache. Sorry to be so blunt in my explanation, but I speak my mind. -4 - '-"'.'""'".' .. ~ .. Hank Long 10/31/97 02:36 PM To: li bnet@csn .net, EPL Staff cc: DBROTZMAN@COE , Gary Sears/C ity of Englewood@COE Subject: Internet Access: How Other Public Ubraries In Colorado Treat the Issue Fellow Librarians ... -· -+ On October 23 , I posted two questions on Libnet regarding the public use of Internet terminals in public libraries across the s tate. Many , many thanks to all of you who have responded to my inquiry. I have just gotten back in town after a week's absence , and thi s is my firs t ch ance to tall y the comments. Be low are the q ue s ti ons alon g w ith the res pon se s I have thus far received. I am still acceptin g responses ... 1. How many public libraries in Colorado use filterin g software on their public Internet co mputers (and, is it used 0 11 the co mpwers fo r kids . adults, or both )? 2. How many p ublic libraries in Colorado require parents to pre-approve or sig n "parental permission cards" in order f or rheir unde r-18 children to use the Internet terminals in their library (if so, how do you do this , how does it work, what ha s been the attit ude or response of your patrons )? • From Pau l Paladino at Montrose Library Disuict: W e don 't use filters. (and re: parental approval) We don't do this e ither. • Fro m An ne Mojo a t L oui svi lle Pu blic Library : Louisville doe s not use filterin g softw are. L ouisville does not r eq u ir e permi ss io n fo r mino rs to use che Internet. e • Fro m Janine Reid at Jefferson County Public Library: I am not an official spokesperson for JCPL, but can tell yo u th a t we d o no t c urre ntl y use filtering software. Nor do we require that parents authorize use of the Internet for their children. • From Pam Belfor at Loveland Public Library : We are just introducing Internet to the public . We are not planning to use an y fi 1 teri n g software 0· We also do not require parents to pre-approve. • From Peggy M anin at Gunni s on Public L i brary Disuict:. We haven 't s tarted yet (installation due Nov . 5 ) but w e pl an no filtering s oftware in any sec ti on of the library . W e also do not ask fo r pre-parental approval . I am trusting in th e e x po s ure of th e terminals to the c ircul ati on desk to help with o ffensive graphics. • From Mike Bartlett at Meeker Public Library: The Meeker Public L i brary uses no filtering programs. M y board is a gai nst fi lters . We d o require parents signatures, but we don't ask people to sign in or in any other way do we check against the list. This is a very small town and the library assistants know everyone. • From Barbara Youngblood at Norwood Public Library: We're very small, (and) have been letting all patrons use the Internet with no fil tering device or pre-approved sign-ups by parents of children and have had no problems. • Fro m Jamie LaRue at Douglas Public L ibrary Disuict: We provide public Internet c omputers , all pos itioned in the adult area, none fi ltered. N o a ttempt is made to keep the kids away from the Internet workstations, any more than we would attempt to ke e p them away fro m ad u lt e ncyclo pedi as. Our as sumption is that only parents have the right to res uict c hildren from acce ss to li brary materials . • Fro m L u Be nke a t Fort Collins Public Li brary : We do not use fi lters on any of our WWW workstations . Thi s is tru e for o ur 3 ad u lt s ta tio ns as we ll as our 2 s tations in the Childrens area. We do not require parents to sign any kind of permission fo r th eir child(re n) to us e th e WWW stations, but all WWW users must submit a library card or picture id. For children unde! a ge 18 to obtain a l ib rary A c ard , pare nts mus t si gn the back of the card (w ith the child if possible) where it states c hildren will have acc ess to all materials . If a W child has a picture id (in our area, junior high on up are issued one) they may obtain a library card on their own as well as use that id to • a WWW station. -·· · · · • From Istara at Bud Werner (Steamboat Springs) Memorial Library: Bud Werner Memorial Library does not (do either). • From Randy Smith at Boulder Public Library: As you tnight have guessed, Boulder does neither of these. • Fro m Dave Stover at Arapahoe Library District: I called Boulder, Denver, Jefferson County, FOr . Collins, Puebl o, Pike s Peak Library District, Adams County, and Douglas County. Not a one uses filters. • From Tami Weage at Ignacio: We're small enough that I am able to keep an eye on what's happening on the net on a more informal basis, so we don 't use any filtering software, and we don't require written parental pertnission. • From Chuck Bates at Pueblo Library District: At the present time, PLD only has Lynx access to the Internet. Internet access is available on all public terminals . PLD does not require parents to "pre -ap prove " their child's access to the Internet. :nv .:r Public Library Internet Access Poli cy h tt p://www .o.:n v.:r.110 .cu. us11 µum; y .11u 11: The Denver Public Library does not monitor, and· has no control over, information accessed through the Internet and cannot be responsible for its content. As with all other library materials, children's access to the Internet is the sole responsibility of the child's parent or guardian . •• 1113197 I 0:35 A.\! .,1 g iJ~ hm11 ..: L1ora ry lJ1smt:l lnterncl At:t:<::ss Pola;y llllp:/l!Juug1as .1 1 o.c:u . u ~1 ac:c:c:ss. pu1 1c: .11t:;,, An Internet Traveler's Advisory e The Douglas Public Library District has no control over the information accessed through the Internet. We cannot be held responsible for its content. As with other library materials , supervision or restriction of a child's access to the Internet is the responsibility of the parent or legal guardian. It is also the responsibility of the child, whose curiosity is surely tempered by his or her judgment and upbringing. t; What does this mean to you? Keep your eyes open and your wits about you. Just because it's on the 'net doesn't mean it's true or valuable. Some of it is, though, and the rest is often entertaining . ll/3/9710::\4 .. \\i . ..; \\"-:ma ,'v kmonal L ibrary Public lmemel Access Guidelines http://www .colosys.m:t/steamboat.l1b /po lH.:y.1111:1 ,(I The Bud Werner Memorial Library Public Internet Access Guidelines Goal The library will be a community leader in providing equal and meaningful access to knowledge and information using current computer technology. Computer use has become an integral part of many library activities. Library computing resources are to be used to advance the library's mission. The purpose of providing public Internet access is to expose the public to the world of information available on the Internet, and to provide equal access to that information for all individuals in the community. Disclaimer The Bud Werner Memorial Library does not monitor and has no control over information accessed through the Internet and cannot be responsible for its content. As with all other library materials, children 's access to the Internet is the sole responsibility of the child's parent or guardian. Return to the Bud Werner Memorial Librarv home page. 11 /3/97 10:36 ,\\1 . a pali uc Li brary District: Disclaimer/lntemet Policy hnp ://www .arapahuel ibra ries .urg/l c::gal.htm 1 ... U G!L\ffr : ., ... 1·: l Disclaimer The Arapahoe Library District is pleased to provide access to the World Wide Web. Through this resource you will be able to access a vast array of information for all age groups and interests. These access points, which often change rapidly and unpredictably, cannot always be controlled by District staff. Thus, please remember you are responsible for the sites you access. The Web contains some printed and visual materials which some parents may find inappropriate for their children. It is not , however, the library's policy to decide what ideas your child should be exposed to , there fo re, we hope you will continue to participate in your child's learning process by helping your child se lect mat er ials and sharing them with you. Additionally, the District cannot guarantee the accuracy of any information on the Web , ex cept for the District's Web site, as each site is developed by its respective developer or owner. Links to other s ite s from the District's Web site are provided as additional resources and do not imply sponsorship of or identification with the Arapahoe Library District. This Internet-based access is provided by the Arapahoe Library District free to the public as part o f its policy to continue providing quality services and resources to meet all informational need s . Electronic Resources/Internet Policy It is the Arapahoe Library District's goal to assemble and organize services, collections of ma terials and other resources to meet the information needs and interests of the people it serves and to protect free access to diverse ideas. In keeping with these principles: • Electronic information, services, and networks , including those that are local, regional a nd international in scope, are pro vided directly or indirectly by the Arapahoe Library D is tri c t. • The Arapah oe Library Distri ct s upports access to materials a nd information in a ll s u bjec ts tha t serve the needs of its community regardless of conte nt of material. This access is prov ide d equally , readily and equitably to all library users. Disclaimer 1. The Internet is an unregulated global entity and is the largest electronic information network in the world. Due to its constantly changing nature, the Arapahoe Library District has no control over the information or its quality , accuracy or currency. The Arapahoe Library District offers menus to sites on the Internet that it feels will assist in the search for material that is perso nally , professionally and culturally enriching to indi viduals of all ages. The District a ssume s no responsibility for the content of these or any other Interne t sites. Each individual should determine the appropriateness of the material for his/her own needs. 2. It is not the library's policy to decide what ideas or information children should be ex pos ed to. Parents or legal guardians should provide guidance to their own children. Parents or legal guardians are solely responsible for their child's, and only their child's , use of the Internet. The Arapahoe Library District offers menus to sites on the Internet that it believes will assist childre n in their search for materials. 3 . The Arapahoe Library District will not assume any responsibility for damages , direct or indirect, arising from use of electro nic services through our system, includ in g the Internet. Public Accessibility I . Any person, regardless of age or residency , may have free acce ss to the El e ctron ic.: 1-<.esou n:es at any of the District's library facilities that offer the service. 11/3/97 10:39 A:--1 .r.1paJ10 .: Library Dis trict : Disdaimt:r/lntcrnt:l Policy http://www.arapanoeuoran .:s.org, 1cg J1.11;:1 !: 2. Basic training and ass istance o n the Internet may be available, as time permits. A variety o f manuals, directories and basic instructions will be prov ided at each Electronic Re so urc e workstation. 3. Printers will be available and there will be a charge for each page printed. 4. Users may download information to disks that they own, or they may purchase disks form the e library. The Araphoe Library District is not responsible for loss or damage to downloaded data, disks, files or hardware . 5 . The Arapahoe Library District may impose a time limit on use of Electronic Resources if conditions warrant. We would ask that users be considerate~of others waiting to use the ser vice. 6 . The Arapahoe Library District does not offer/provide emaiC telnet, FrP or us ern et se rvice s. Unacceptable Use A ny of the following actions may result in loss of library privileges a nd/or cri mina l prosec uti o n o r other legal action. Unacceptable use of Arapahoe Library District's Electronic Resources incl ud es, but is not limited to , the following: 1. It is not acceptable to use Arapahoe Library District's Electronic Resources for illegal or criminal use . 2. Users must respect the legal protection provided by copyright and license to progra ms a nd data. 3. Users shall not internationally develop or use pro gra ms that infiltrate a compute r o r comp utin g system and/or damage o r alter the software components of a local or remote computer o r co mputin g system. 4. Use rs shall not int enti o nall y seek informati o n on, o btain c opies of, or modify files, other data , or passwords belonging to other users. They shall not represent themselves as a nother user unless explicitly authorized to do so by that user. · 5. Users may not install software on any Arapahoe Library District computer with a floppy dri ve a nd may not run programs on a disk. ADOPTED 6196 George Rosenberg President, Arapahoe Library Di st rict Board of Trustees [Home] [About Us ] [Programs & Eve nl<;] [L ocati ons] [On-Line Re sourc es] [Something for Everyone] [I st Timers] [In the News] 11(>/9 7 ill:.~•I · .. J Lf·.BRARY November 3, 1997 Vo lume XX VI , No . 44 ISSN 0740-73 6X --BREAK IN G N EWS FOR LJBR ARY AN O INFORMATION 25t:h ANNIVERSARY ~RS PU!UC UBRARY ACLU Considers Challenge Of Kern Co. Filtering Mandate The n ational l egal department of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) put out a call for resi- d ent s of Kern County, CA, particularly teenagers, wh o might be willing to participate as plaintiffs in a suit a gainst the county for violating the free speech ri ghts of library patrons. The proposed suit is against a C o unty Board of Supervisors resolution requiring p ublic l ibrari es i n the county to restrict the ava il ability o f c ontroversial material to minors over In ternet access terminals in libraries. According t o an October 23 statement by Ann Bee son o f ACLU, the libraries installed "BESS" e teri n g s oftware on every Internet access ter- minal "and the r e appears to be no established procedure for a dults t o request unblocked Inter- net a c ces s." ACLU research on BESS "determi ned that the program blocks access to a wide variety of site s th at contain valuable i nformation for mino rs as well as adults . BESS blocks access to AID S a nd HIV-related speech, safer sex infor- m a ti on, art sites with classic nudes, gay and l es- bian i ssues and literature, graphic human rights r e p o rt s , information about fighting hate groups o n li ne. and i nformation about female genital mut i l ation." Beeson said, "We believe the mandatory use of BESS in the library violates the Firs t A mendment rights of library patrons and -internet s peakers who wish to communicate con- s n t u t 10nall y protected information. It would be clear l y unconsntuhonal for a public library to remove from the shelves books that cont ain gra phi c d escri ptions of human rights abuses, or information about safer sex, simply because the '" l;rary disapproved of the content. It i s equally 9 constit ut i onal for t he library to block access to controversial material on t he Int ernet." :v ov 0 J 1997 When contacted by Library Hotline o n O ctob e r 29, Beeson said "We are not comment ing fu r.t her at this time because what we said earlier was m i sconstrued." She did say that t he c as e w as under consideration and that a go/no go d e c ision will be reached within the next six weeks. Fargo, ND, Trustees Stand Firm, Reject Book Banning Attempt The Fargo Public Li brary, ND , h a d been g ra p- pling with requests for removal or reclassifica ti o n of the Robie Harris book, It's Perfec tl y Normal . At their October 21 meeting, the Board of Di recto r s accepted the recommendation of the library's mate- rials selection committee that the book be retained and that it remain in the youth services coll ection. "We have received approximat e ly 40 state- ments of c oncern and other letters ," said Lib rary Director Nann Blaine Hilyard. "Some a sk that the book be put in the adult section and ot h e r say that the book is anything but normal and should be removed from the collection." The 30 people in the audience at the board meet- ing were invited to comment. The only comments were i n favor of the board's motion to accept the committee's recommendation. Nei t her the local minister who initiated the campai gn, nor h i s parishioners who supported him with calls and le t- ters to the board, attended the meeting . Gates Releases Grant Guidelines. Low-Income Regions Targeted The Gates Library Foundation has r eleased grant guidelines for U.S. public librari es t o help provide public access to computers and the Inter- net. During the first round in five ye ars of funding, the foundation will work with appro xi m ately 1000 The Weekly Newslerrer from Library Journal and School Library Journal Article from Q~t~ber 6, l991_Library Hotline San Jose PL, Aided by Council. Beais Back Demand for Filters With the support of local politicians. the San Jose Public Library, CA. has rejected limited demands for Internet blocking software, "choos- i ng th e path of individual responsibility con- cerning Internet access." The San Jose City Council. after a nearly two-hour debate at its September 23 meeting, rejected. by a vote of 8- 3. a member's proposal that minors use filtered machines unless they had parental permission to use unfiltered ones, upholding the city's pol- icy of open access to all materials for all resi- dents. In July, Councilperson Pat Dando put forth a recommendation that the city earmark funding in the budget to purchase software fil- t ers for installation on the library system's Inter- net access computer terminals "to prevent chil- dren from acce ssing pornographic or sexually explicit materials." "I can't think of anything worse than govern- ment and politicians getting into the role of cen- sors," said Mayor Susan Hammer. City Librarian Jane Light pointed out that the library has 60 Internet workstations. while there are thousands around the city." It would be a drop in the bucket t o filter at the l ibrary because parents need t o teach kids," Light said, noting that there had been only one spec1fic complaint regarding Inter- net use at the library. "Installation of filters would put the city on a slippery slope of censor- ship," she said. A patron had requested that a workstation be moved from a fairly isolated children's area to a more heavily trafficked area. and the library agreed. Light said the library relies not on privacy screens but on the place- ment of terminals in busy areas. expecting users to be too embarrassed to call up any- thing untoward. If minors are seen accessing such sites , staffers may attempt to redireet t he use to research purposes. Light indicated that t here has been le ss attention to the issue by par en ts than by the media. The library has i ncreased it s efforts, in handouts and in seminars, to educate parents about child safe t y on the Internet. The City Council makes policy for the library, while the Library Commission functions in an advisory capacity. Light made a presentation to council members about the pros and cons of Internet filtering software prior to their vote. e Light said that this was the fourth time in 30 years that the council had addressed concerns about library free sp.~ech policy.