Maine To Replace CIPA Losses

Continuing match will reimburse public libraries that don't filter

By Susan DiMattia -- Library Journal, 6/1/2004

The State of Maine has budgeted compensatory funds to public libraries that will lose federal support if they decide not to install filters as required by the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA). 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 telecomm carriers operating in the state.

The enabling legislation, passed by the House on April 28, says that libraries need not apply for federal discounts if the library determines that satisfying conditions for receiving that discount would substantially compromise the library's standards or mission." 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, depending on the number of libraries that decide not to filter; that number is not yet clear.

Meanwhile, several states, including Massachusetts and Delaware, have been considering local versions of CIPA, which would tie receipt of state funds to filtering. In Florida, the legislature rejected the bill. In Minnesota, however, by a vote of 111–18 the state House of Representatives passed a bill that would apply to schools and libraries. A version remains pending in the state Senate.