NYC Council Filtering Proposal Opposed by Library Directors
Staff -- Library Journal, 2/7/2000
The directors of the three library systems in New York City jointly opposed a pilot filtering project contained in a proposed law sponsored by several members of the New York City Council. At a hearing January 27, Norman Holman, Senior Vice President and Director of the Branch Libraries of The New York Public Library, testified that the libraries distribute brochures for parents and caregivers to guide their childrens' use of the Internet, and that each library system has developed home pages for children and young adults to guide them to appropriate links. He also indicated that the libraries practice the "tap on the shoulder" policy, as workstations are placed in open and visible areas, which "discourages the viewing of inappropriate web sites," and that if staffers see children "using the Internet inappropriately," they will be advised to go to one of the library's recommended sites or face loss of access. Martin Gomez, director of the Brooklyn Public Library, said that the libraries had found no filters that meet the libraries' criteria, among them, that "appropriate sites erroneously blocked by the filter be unblocked at the time of the error," and that "patrons denied access to blocked sites should be notified and provided a mechanism for appeal." By contrast, David Burt of Filtering Facts testified in writing that the libraries' aim to educate parents is "like putting Hustler next to Highlights in the children's room and telling parents that we are going to help them solve this problem by teaching children how not to look to Hustler." A parent testifying at the request of the libraries summed up the anti-filter argument: "While unfettered Internet access is not risk free, the rewards may be profound." Given that the bill is sponsored by members of the Council's Republican minority, it is not expected to pass.
