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Examines a moratorium declared on the E-Rate program which gives grants to public libraries and schools for high speed Internet service. Federal Communications Commission in conjunction with the White House which shut down the grants until the program can come up with new rules on how it spends the money; Possibility that as much as $1 billion in new grants will be affected; What it means for libraries and schools; Background on the formation of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) which runs the program; Lawmakers who claim the company is laden with fraud and waste; F.C.C. reduction of the level of contributions which can be made by the phone companies to the USAC; Reasons for the immediate cause of the crisis.

Reports on increased popularity and funding of libraries that offer high-speed internet access. Story of the closure of libraries in Houma, Louisiana prior to the arrival of computers; Revitalization of the town's libraries thanks to the addition of 81 online computers; Comments from Mary Cosper LeBoeuf, the head librarian; Fundamental change to libraries' traditional goals; Speed of the transition to computer-based libraries; Impact of the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation; Benefit to other library services.

Discusses the issue of using computers in public libraries in Phoenix, Arizona to view explicit materials via the Internet.

Discusses how, as filtering laws fail, U.S. librarians are finding ways to restrict Internet access to pornography by children. Approaches used by various libraries; Comments of librarians and library directors; Why the Children's Internet Protection Act and other government attempts to limit Internet access have failed; How the issue is being dealt with at the local level; The emerging standard for libraries. INSET: New Guidelines For Librarians And Families.

Reports that United States federal court panel struck down a law requiring libraries to filter the Internet for material harmful to minors. Opinion of this court that such technology blocks so much objectionable material that it would violate the first amendment rights of library users; Reaction of civil liberties advocates to the ruling; Goals of the Children's Internet Pornography Act of 2001. INSET: Excerpts From Opinion Rejecting Internet Law.