Library board tackles Internet filtering

After a nearly two-hour huddle tackling the controversial issue of library Internet filtering, the Salt Lake City Library Board of Directors came away only with a game "direction" instead of a game plan.

The board voted unanimously this past week to pursue the implementation of filtering on all computers inside children's areas throughout the library system. It will also look at ways to help protect children from seeing sensitive Internet sites in other areas of the library, too.

In addition, the board will work to install a smart-card system that requires library card access and allows filtered or unfiltered access to be determined by the patron or guardian of the card on a case-by-case basis.

Librarians would allow patron access to various sensitive sites if the research is of a scholarly work.

"We just need to take the steam out of this debate," said Roger D. Sandack, president of the library board , stressing this is a direction the board is headed, not a decision at this point. He also said the filtering issued is "kind of a moving target."

Input to the library board has shown that the biggest clamor is for filtering on computers in children's areas and for the protection of kids from sensitive sites.

The board directed library staff to conduct research on this direction they have chosen. Staff will also draft more specific language on the board's written statement in this process.

That new information will be presented at another filtering discussion, set for Wednesday, June 2, at 3:30 p.m. at the Salt Lake City Library, probably in the fourth floor meeting room.

Sandack said the board needed to come with some guidance to give to the Salt Lake City Council this month, which is working on its budget for the next fiscal year.

Part of the library's proposed budget for next year includes $150,000 to invest in a smart-card system, which could also handle future filtering options. That system is contingent on the City Council approving the library's budget.

Under HB341, the Utah State Legislature has given public libraries until July 1 to come up with a written plan for Internet filtering or risk losing state funding for at least the next fiscal year.

Sandack said the library board still has until the end of June to finalize its filtering plan.

Nancy Tessman, Salt Lake City Library director, said approximately 50 percent of American public libraries now have some sort of Internet filtering in process. She estimates 70 percent of Utah libraries have some filtering, but the Wasatch Front libraries have been the slowest to move in that direction.

"No filter is 100 percent accurate," she said, explaining that libraries will still have to monitor what patrons have on their screens.

Tessman said the filtering issue can also touch on First Amendment rights, and some people feel it takes away their freedom.

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E-mail: lynn@desnews.com