Library may use

Internet filtering

New law could

require use of

filtering software

By CHRIS VETTER

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- The New Ulm Public Library is not using any Internet filtering software now, but that could change by the end of the year.

Library director Dan Reilly told the New Ulm Public Library Board on Thursday about possible changes to Internet use policies if and when a new federal law is enacted.

On Dec. 21, 2000, former President Clinton signed the Children's Internet Protection act. The law is slated to be enacted on April 20, according to an information packet Reilly distributed to board members.

"I'm sure there is going to be a good deal of challenges to this legislation," Reilly told the board. Because the discussion was strictly informational, the board did not take any action.

There is a public comment period where people can submit opinions to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) about the new law. The FCC will then release and publish rules to enact the law sometime in March.

"It's got a long process to go," Reilly said. "Our stance is wait and see. We're playing it month to month."

The new law does not require public libraries to use filters unless they receive discounts for telecommunication services. Reilly said New Ulm does not receive the grants. However, New Ulm belongs to library system that receives the money, making it a candidate for required filtering programs.

The New Ulm library has six Internet computers: four in the adult reading section and two in the children's library.

Reilly said he recently loaded a filtering program called 'Net Nanny' on the two children's computers.

"We wanted to try it to see what problems might arise," Reilly said. "So far, there haven't been any."

The filtering program has been de-activated, but the library does have the software.

Reilly said it is unclear what the FCC might require for filtering.

"Whatever occurs, I think we're ready to comply," he said. "Personally, I'd rather not."

While no filters are used in the library now, Reilly said that an effective surveillance system is already in place.

"We don't actively have staff patrolling," Reilly said. "If a staff person becomes aware of a problem, (staff) will tap the person on the shoulder and tell them the material is inappropriate. The main deterrent is the terminals are so exposed to public scrutiny."

The two children's computers are pointed toward the children's librarian desk so they can easily be monitored, he added.

In December, the library did ask a minor to leave the facility because he repeatedly looked at obscene material. Reilly estimates that library staff has only asked Web users to leave a site about six times in the past year.

The constitutionality of filtering programs have yet to be decided, according to library information packets.

"At this time, the American Library Association is not aware of any filtering program that will block out illegal content but allow access to constitutionally-protected materials," the packet states.

Reilly noted that the legislation calls for a block on child pornography and obscene pictures, but it doesn't ban obscene words or phrases.

"It has no impact on chatlines," Reilly said. "The whole approach of filtering is far from perfect."

And chatlines could be more dangerous for youth than obscene material, he contends.

If the library were to add a filtering program, Reilly believes the filter should be installed at the library system's headquarters in Mankato. That would ensure that all area libraries are using identical programs.

"Any approach to this would be on a region-wide basis," he said.

Internet use is increasing at the library, but Reilly said there is not a great need to add more Web-compatible computers.

"They are frequently and consistently being used, but we are able to accommodate everyone," he said. "We do have to enforce the half-hour limit. But that is plenty of time for most people."

If no one is waiting for an Internet computer, a person can use the machine for an extended period beyond 30 minutes, Reilly added.