CIPA Update, Part II: Tactics Vary, No Statistics Yet

-- Library Journal, 2/24/2004

It's too soon to get full statistics on compliance with the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA); the Public Library Data Service (PLDS) 2004 questionnaire, just circulating, includes three pages of filtering questions. After the Supreme Court's decision last summer, several dozen libraries announced they wouldn't filter--notably, the San Francisco Public Library must follow a city ordinance banning filters for adults and teens. Even before the court decision, the Bridgeport PL, CT, unbundled its E-rate requests, separating its telephone service and frame relay service applications from its Internet access discounts. "For the last round, we did not apply for Internet access," said Director Michael Golrick, noting the library has given up about $30,000. He reported that libraries in nearby affluent suburbs were hardly affected by CIPA.

At the Stark County District Library, OH, CIPA doesn't apply because the E-rate is used only for telecommunications fees. Director Kent Oliver says the library is implementing a new policy that allows parents to set different access levels for children and offers adults filter options. Similarly, the Seattle Public Library filters children's access but won't comply with CIPA. Less than $10,000 in E-rate funds were at stake. The neighboring King County Library System will comply with CIPA; $200,000 was at stake.

This is the second of a five-part daily series this week. See also:

Deadline Approaches, Large PLs in Poorer Areas Squeezed
Tactics Vary, No Statistics Yet
Technical Questions, Help From Some States
Can Implementation Be Challenged?
CIPA Update, Part V: "Son of CIPA Bills" Proposed