Under current library policy, all children’s computers have filters, while adults can choose to access the internet through filters or not.
The county began running the library system July 1, with the board of supervisors taking an active role in policymaking. Supervisor Ray Carroll began advocating for filters after television news reporters showed him footage of patrons using the library computers to view pornography. He said in the July 9 Daily Star that this “revealed the dark underside of our libraries.”
The county attorney gave the supervisors four options: adding screens, filtering all computers, blocking all sexually explicit material, or providing access only to sites that meet the same criteria as print materials. Library Director Nancy Ledeboer said she considered the library’s existing policy sufficient, but that screens were her preferred option if changes had to be made. “If you just filter everything and think it’s going to be fine, well, filters aren’t perfect,” she said. “It could give a false sense of security.”
The board, while split on the issue, wants to create a committee to study it. However, it set no deadline for recommendations. Carroll said postponing the installation of filters was an attempt to end further action on the issue.
“Do I like the thought of someone sitting there looking at pornography? No,” said Supervisor Ramón Valadez. “But we are bordering on a First Amendment issue.”
Posted July 14, 2006.