Hudsonville Restores Internet Access, With Filters

Staff -- Library Journal, 2/28/2000

Buoyed by the results of the referendum rejecting a harsh filtering plan in nearby Holland, Mich, Hudsonville City Commissioners voted February 23 to rescind a filtering ordinance that they reluctantly adopted in December -- and decided to restore Internet access at the Gary Byker Memorial Library. As planned, the library will use the Smart Guardian "smartcard" system that allows parents to determine filtering levels for their children rather than filter all but one terminal. The commissioners had passed the ordinance rather than allow a referendum because such passage could be rescinded; in December, they had pulled the plug on Internet access rather than make themselves vulnerable to a lawsuit from either filter supporters or filter foes. "It is our intent to return Internet service to our citizens, utilizing superior filtering procedures which will protect the entire community from the concerns it has about our youth and the problems of pornography," said one council member, according to the February 24 Holland Sentinel.