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Rochester Library Will Change Filtering PolicyDespite objections from the Rochester (N.Y.) Public Library board, the Monroe County Library System adopted May 23 a policy to use filtering software to block all websites deemed pornographic, unless the site is judged to be in accordance with the library’s collection policy by a library director or “delegate” following a written request from an adult patron. RPL had enacted a February 21 moratorium on its previous policy of unblocking lawful websites as a reaction to Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks’s threat to pull $6.6 million in operating funds—70% of the library’s budget—if RPL did not prevent access to pornographic websites.The new policy was recommended by an eight-person task force, but two other options were also outlined: changing the library’s physical layout to lessen the chance that a minor would oversee offensive material on a patron’s monitor, or keeping the current unblocking policy, which would jeopardize funding, according to the May 23 Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. The policy, which fails to define “pornographic,” extends to all county libraries, though it remains unclear how the rule would affect city libraries, each of which has its own board and internet policy. Previously, RPL unblocked any website at the request of an adult patron—a policy that was in compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act. Many Rochester library officials and residents worry that the decision sets an unhealthy precedent. “How dare [Brooks] dictate to adults in this community what they can and cannot see,” RPL President John Lovenheim said at the meeting, according to the May 24 Democrat and Chronicle. “How dare she use her power to impose her personal views on us.” “If adopting the recommendation is censorship, then this library is already in big trouble,” countered county legislator Bill Smith, a county library board liaison, “because the act of choosing books is censorship and because you have a [collection] policy that implies and, in fact, results in rejection of materials all the time.” The RPL board declined to vote on the policy in order to further study the task force report, but may vote next week. If the policy passes, both the city and county could face lawsuits from the American Civil Liberties Union, which has previously warned of legal action on the basis that patrons have the right to view constitutionally protected websites. Posted May 25, 2007. |
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