The Ohio Senate passed a measure February 18 that would prohibit public libraries from using state funds to purchase computers or Internet access unless all their public-access terminals have filtering software in place. The bill represents a compromise from the draft introduced in November 2003 by Sen. Steve Austria (R-Beavercreek) and incorporates some modifications advocated by the Ohio Library Council on behalf of the state’s public libraries.
The OLC reported that the current version has no language requiring public libraries to post signs or provide brochures stating that libraries possess materials that might be considered harmful to minors, wording that was present in the original.
The new version has also dropped a requirement that an adult explain why he or she wants the filter turned off or a site unblocked, but minors under 18 would still be required to have “bona fide research, medical, scientific, educational, governmental, judicial, or other lawful purposes” to request a library employee to disable the filter. Libraries will also be required to get parental permission for juveniles to check out all videos.
Any library that chooses not to comply with the filtering and video circulation requirements of the bill will not be able to use its state funding to purchase computers or pay for Internet access and must use other funds to cover those expenses.
Posted February 20, 2004.