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The article highlights issues surrounding the federal Deleting Online Predators Act (DOPA) being addressed in the Illinois General Assembly. Several efforts in relation to the law are discussed, including the filtering of social networking websites such as MySpace.com from public library computer access. General trends in library internet security is also discussed.

The article discusses the introduction of the Internet Screening in Public Libraries Act (ISPLA) to the Illinois General Assembly, focusing on opposition to the bill by the American Library Association (ALA) and Illinois Library Association (ILA). Other topics include information on supporters and opponents of the bill, the bill's resemblance to the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA), and how the bill puts the burden of determining legitimate research on patrons and librarians.

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.

Reports that the Naperville Public Library in Illinois will install fingerprint scanners on computers that offer either public Internet access or require a time limit on usage. Report that the scanners will help parents control their children's Internet access; Claim of library deputy director Mark West that the scanners cannot be cross-referenced with law enforcement databases.

The article offers guidelines on factors that librarians need to keep in mind when a decision about filters needs to be made. Illinois libraries may legally filter obscene content and child pornography, even if filters are imperfect. Filters should be selected not on cost or convenience, but on features and capacity to customize. Librarians should advocate for the least restrictive setting and use the override lists on Internet filters.

The article describes the renovated Morton College Library in Illinois. Its features include a wireless Cyber Cafe, laptops which can be checked out from the circulation desk, and eight group study rooms. The facility's interior showcases light maple furniture in contemporary style, light and transparent window treatments, and original artwork.

The article reports on a political debate between the Illinois Family Institute, which is pushing for a law to require filtering software on all public library computers in the state of Illinois, and the Illinois Library Association, which opposes the law. Eight libraries are reported to have shut off their internet services entirely in protest against the proposed law, which they believe is unnecessary and unduly burdensome.

The article reports on the new rules regarding Internet usage at the Niles Public Library to be imposed by its board of members in order to address the problem of pornographic viewing among patrons in Illinois. The library has been working to install a wireless Internet connection that can be accessed by its users through their personal laptop computers provided they will agree to a set of conditions.

Reports that computers in the Des Plaines Public Library in Illinois are being equipped with filtering software to block pornography. Charge of indecent exposure against a man after an employee at the library saw him masturbating while using a library computer to view pornography; Concern that people were viewing sexually explicit materials in places where children were likely to pass by.

Interviews Mark West, deputy director of the Naperville Public Library in Illinois, on the use of filters for Internet access. Installation of filters by the Naperville library; Efficiency of the filters in the children's section of the library; Feedback from the community about filters.

Reports on the free wireless Internet access launched by Chicago Public Library in Chicago, Illinois on December 6, 2004. Advantages of wireless Internet access according to Chicago Public Library Commissioner Mark Dempsey; Estimated costs for installation and maintenance; Library systems in the U.S. that also offer wireless Internet access.