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Illinois Libraries Protest Mandatory FiltersOn May 14, public libraries across Illinois drew attention to legislation that would effectively require filters on all public library computers in the state. The Internet Screening in Public Libraries Act (H.B. 1727) passed 63–51 in the Illinois House of Representatives May 2 and was sent to the state senate, prompting the Illinois Library Association to request that public libraries participate in a “day of unity” by shutting off or limiting their internet access, distributing informational bookmarks or fliers, or otherwise communicating to patrons their opposition to the bill.“Because the association is a strong promoter of local control, we are recommending that local libraries determine the most appropriate action for their community and act accordingly,” said ILA Executive Director Robert P. Doyle in a May 8 press release. He recommended that libraries also use the day to contact their state senators, maximize their current filter settings to demonstrate the obstacles presented by excessive filtering, and if necessary install a filter to illustrate to patrons how such software blocks legitimate research. As of May 17, the Illinois Library Day website had 40 comments from both supporters and opponents of the protest. Susan Roberts of Grande Prairie Public Library District in Hazel Crest experimented using one type of filter and wrote of her experience, “We are jumping up every two seconds to unblock a site for a patron. I had originally estimated that we would need one full-time staff member if the bill became law but I am beginning to think it might take two additional staff positions. The burden is such that we will probably not be able to continue for the full day.” Doyle emphasized that not only would libraries need to certify annual compliance to receive state grants, but the bill is an unfunded mandate that would result in increased liability issues, filtering software costs (the ILA estimates a typical installation would cost $10,000, plus a maintenance fee $3,000 per year), and new staff requirements brought on by the stipulation that minors using temporarily unfiltered computers must be supervised. Libraries such as the Chillicothe Public Library District completely suspended access on Illinois Library Day. “It should be a local decision on whether or not it’s right for your community,” Library Director Lisa Poignant told the May 14 Springfield (Ill.) State Journal-Register. “This is not a good way to go about protecting children. Filters are faulty. There’s ways around them.” Edwardsville Public Library installed screensavers that called attention to the expense and ineffectiveness of the legislation, and computer users at the Palos Heights Public Library had to flip over signs warning them about the potential permanent removal of internet access if the bill is signed into law. Meanwhile, the Zion-Benton Public Library District shrouded its computers in mournful black fabric. But these tactics also had detractors. “[These libraries are] using taxpayer time to defend the rights of perverts who want to look at porn in the public library,” David E. Smith, executive director of the Illinois Family Institute and a proponent of the bill, said in the May 15 St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “Librarians are government employees. If they want to lobby on their own time, that’s fine, but don’t do it on my dime.” Posted May 21, 2007. |
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