A Concord, California, woman and her son have appealed the January 14 dismissal of their amended suit brought against the Livermore Public Library to mandate filtering software for children’s-area workstations.
Filed before the state First District Court of Appeal in mid-March, the appeal revives the contention of plaintiffs Kathleen R. and Brandon P. that the library’s provision of unrestricted Internet access constitutes an endangerment of patrons under 18 who might happen upon materials unsuitable for minors.
But plaintiff attorney Michael Millen told the March 17 Livermore Tri-Valley Herald, “I honestly believe this will be dealt with by the legislature before oral arguments will be heard in our appeal.” State and federal lawmakers are considering bills that would require libraries to use blocking software.
Posted March 22, 1999.