Search

Presents the results of a survey conducted by the Library Research Center of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign about access control of the Internet in public libraries. Prevalence of Internet-management strategies in libraries, including written policies, parental permission for children's use of the Internet, and filtering tools; Questions raised by the survey.

The article focuses on the "2007 Public Library Funding and Technology Access Study," which provides the most complete national picture of computer and Internet access in U.S. public libraries, conducted by John Carlo Bertot and Charles McClure of Florida State University. The study found that on average, there are 10.7 public access computers in each library branch. For the first time, the study asked if the wireless and wired Internet connections shared the same bandwidth, and nearly half of respondents answered yes.

Presents the results of "Public Libraries and the Internet 2004: Survey Results and Findings," a report issued in June 2005 by the Information Use Management and Policy Institute at Florida State University in Tallahassee. Challenge facing U.S. libraries in providing enough workstations to meet Internet demand; Selected goals of the study; Key issues identified from the research; Implications of the data for many issues that affect public libraries and the roles they play, or can play, in the networked society.

Reports on an ordinance passed by the Jefferson Parish Council in Louisiana which tightens penalties for viewing obscene or sexually explicit material on library computers. Possibility of a fine or jail sentence for those convicted; Procedure by which librarians are to report the patron, including confirmation by a co-worker that the material is offensive; Possibility that the ordinance will be argued against.

Focuses on the frustrations of Minnesota's Minneapolis Public Library workers in dealing with patrons who view sexually explicit Internet sites, which offend other patrons. Formation of a task force to define unacceptable patron behavior while online; Stance of library board and distrust of Internet filters.

Reports that Anchorage (Alaska) Municipal Libraries Director Moe McGee asked city administrator to lift filters from the library's computers. Why the filters were installed on all municipal Internet connections, according to city administration; Comments of Alaska Civil Liberties Union Executive Director Jennifer Rudinger about the constitutional problems with using the censoring software.

The article reports on the decision of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to renew its financial commitment to help public libraries in low-income areas provide Internet service and training to their users. The new five-year initiative was announced on January 18, 2007. The initiative will involve grants for computer hardware upgrades, continued high-speed Internet connections, technical and advocacy training for library staff and research demonstrating the positive benefits of technology to library users.

The author looks at the changes in how libraries are being used by patrons since the 1960s. Prior to the 1960s, the author asserts that the public library was an institution devoted to reading, research and study in an atmosphere of peace and quiet. However, in the modern decade, more patrons came to the library to access the Internet, work on computers and pick up DVD than to check out books, as observed by the author.

Reports on the contract approved by Illinois' Naperville Public Library board on May 18, 2005 with a local technology firm to install biometric scanners on its public Internet computers. Information on how the U.S. Biometrics AccessQ fingerprint-identification technology works; Findings of the Naperville police on how library patrons use of their library cards.

Reports an action by the United States Justice Department defending the constitutionality of the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA). Views of the Justice Department about the role of librarians in providing access to the Internet; Delay in the enforcement of CIPA which gives libraries more time to decide whether to comply with Internet-filtering requirements.

Presents news briefs related to libraries and censorship as of September 2000. Unsuccessful efforts of parents to ban the book 'Whoopi Goldberg: Her Journey from Poverty to Mega-Stardom,' from the Muskego High School library in Wisconsin; Details of the Internet content filtering policy of the Greenville County Library board in South Carolina, which seeks to advance so-called government interests; Profiles of two California library boards which refuse to install filters on their public internet terminals; Others.

Reports that in August 1999, the Georgetown Township Library, in Grand Rapids, Michigan charged patrons $100 an hour for unfiltered Internet access. Details of a Michigan state law which empowers library trustees to filter on the Internet; Reaction of town officials to the fee.

Reports that in July 1999 the American Library Association (ALA) filed comments with the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in response to a proposal which would require schools and libraries to have acceptable use policies in place regarding Internet access. Contact information regarding the issue.

Reports that the administration of United States President Bill Clinton called for schools and libraries that receive e-rate subsidies for Internet connections to adopt policies to shield children from inappropriate material online. The Federal Communications Commission overseeing the program; Comment of Larry Irving, head of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.