From: Jason Stone JStone@EBPL.org To: "'cipa-study@ntia.doc.gov'" cipa-study@ntia.doc.gov Date: Wed, Aug 14, 2002 3:46 PM Subject: Internet Safety in Public Libraries Dear Members of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration: In December of 2000, the Board of Trustees of the East Brunswick Public Library adopted an Internet Acceptable Use Policy. Whenever a customer sits down at a public computer work station, this policy appears. The customer must click her or his agreement to abide by the terms of the policy before she or he can access the Internet. The policy states that, while The Library upholds and affirms the right of every individual to have access to constitutionally protected material on the Internet, no person shall use a library Internet workstation in a way that is inappropriate for an open public area shared by people of all ages and backgrounds or that disturbs or interferes with customers, employees or operations of the Library. The policy states that library customers may not exhibit specific behaviors while using a library Internet work station, including: 1. Displaying, sending, receiving or printing text, images or graphics of obscene material or materials harmful to minors or that violate laws relating to child pornography; or 2. Engaging in any activity that is deliberately offensive or creates an intimidating or hostile environment for library staff and customers. The policy further states that professional librarians on staff are authorized to terminate the Internet session of any customer who fails to comply with this policy; to take further action in accordance with the Library Code of Conduct; and to report illegal activity of which they become aware to the appropriate authorities for prosecution. This policy has been very successful. In the almost two years that this policy has been in effect, there have been fewer than a handful of situations in which a professional librarian has approached a customer at an Internet work station, advised the customer that what she or he is viewing is not in accordance with the library's Internet Acceptable Use Policy, and to please re-read the policy carefully before using the Internet again. The Board of Trustees is satisfied with the results of the implementation of this policy. For reasons well stated in recent court opinions, the Board does not support the use of currently available technology protection measures. Sincerely, Jason R. Stone, Director East Brunswick Public Library jstone@ebpl.org CC: "'Jhendrix@alawash.org'" , Jason Stone