Maine to Compensate Libraries that Lose Funds Via CIPA

-- Library Journal, 5/10/2004

The State of Maine has budgeted for providing compensatory funds to public libraries that will lose federal funds if they decide not to install filters as required by the Children's Internet Protection Act. In the past, Maine has had a policy of requiring public libraries to apply for any federal funds to which they are entitled. Those funds were then matched by the state's Public Utilities Commission (PUC) through an assessment on telecommunications carriers operating in the state.

The enabling legislation, passed by the House on April 28, says, in part, "A qualified library is not required to apply for a federal discount pursuant to the federal Telecommunications Act of 1996 if the library determines that satisfying conditions for receiving that discount would substantially compromise the library's standards or mission." The PUC will mitigate "to the maximum extent the commission determines appropriate" the financial impact on the library. Maine State Librarian Gary Nichols said that the initiative came from his department, in cooperation with the legislature and the appropriations committee. "The Legislature is tremendously supportive of libraries in general," he said

Nichols noted that there was some debate on the filtering and pornography issue in the House before the amendment to the budget passed by just a few votes. "The constellations were aligned," he said, admitting that it could have gone either way. The amount of compensation will not exceed $300,000 but depends on the number of libraries that decide not to filter, and that number is not yet clear.