Posted March 25, 2005.

Fort Vancouver Library Mulls Sex-Offender Ban

Officials in Clark County, Washington, are debating whether to establish a procedure to ban registered sex offenders from the Fort Vancouver Regional Library. At a recent meeting between county commissioners and members of the library board, Commissioner Marc Boldt suggested the move, which would require adding libraries to a pending state bill banning registered sex offenders from living near public or private schools, the Portland Oregonian reported March 21.

Although board member Jack Burkman said the library would offer no resistance to his proposal, he warned that libraries have no authority or procedures to identify sex offenders. Library Executive Director Bruce Ziegman said any ban “would have to be creative” to avoid civil-liberties challenges.

The discussion followed Boldt’s request to “chitchat” about internet filters on library computers. After library board members responded that the issue had been resolved—in 2002 FVRL adopted an opt-out policy that allows patrons aged 13–17 the choice of filtered or unfiltered access—Boldt brought up the topic of sex offenders.

Posted March 25, 2005.