Hate Speech Filters in MO Libraries Draw Lawsuit

-- Library Journal, 3/24/2006

The Council of Conservative Citizens, which describes itself as "America's largest paleo-conservative organization" and is described by the Southern Poverty Law Center as a "hate group," has sued four libraries in the St. Louis area, claiming that the libraries' web filters block the organization's web site. (All are apparently not doing so now.) The suit cited Maplewood City Library, University City Public Library, Valley Park Community Library and Festus Public Library. Apparently the libraries were filtering sites designated as "hate" sites for both children and adults. Maplewood City Library director Terrence Donnelly told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that the library had revised its policy and unblocked the site. The University City Library had stopped blocking the group's site after receiving a complaint last November, director Linda Ballard told the newspaper. A staffer at the Valley Park Community library told LJ that the site had been unblocked, after the lawsuit was filed. The site is accessible now at the Festus Public Library, as well, library director Lollie Gray told LJ; a statement from the mayor and library board is expected shortly.