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Sacramento Internet-Use Policy Strives for BalanceThe authority board of the Sacramento Public Library adopted an internet-use policy March 22 intended to balance the protection of children with the right of adult patrons to view potentially offensive materials.The Sacramento Bee reported March 23 that the new policy appeared to please none of the 12-member board, comprised of members of the board of supervisors and city council, and other city officials: Some felt it should have banned the viewing of pornography on library computers, while others worried that it violated First Amendment protections. One member described the policy as “squishy as warm cinnamon cookies.” The new policy, which replaces one adopted in 2004, offers filtered access as a default, but unfiltered access can be requested “on a per session basis,” although patrons under age 17 must obtain parental consent. It states that since the workstations are in public areas, “the Library asks that each user exercise good judgment and consideration of others.” If staff see materials “that would interfere with the maintenance of a safe, welcoming, and comfortable environment for the public, the Internet user will be asked to end a search or change a screen.” Library Director Anne Marie Gold told the board that the library would also be purchasing new workstation tables for all branches that recess the monitors beneath shaded glass panels for greater privacy. Gold told American Libraries that the challenge in developing the policy was to balance the provision of a “safe, welcoming, and comfortable environment” with the principles of open access. “It’s not an easy balancing act, and every library in the country is dealing with it,” she said. Posted on March 23, 2007. |
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