Friday Florida Filtering Follies

An Anonymous Patron writes “Two editorials from Florida, one from Tallahassee Democrat and another from tcpalm.com come out against filtering in public libraries. The Democrat says “This feel-good gesture is ultimately an empty one.”

this one says Librarians from across Florida gathered at the State Capitol today to protest Internet filters on public library computers.”

April 16, 2004 by Blake Uncategorized 6

Eli says:

April 16, 2004 at 11:54 pm

Filtering
The Florida Librarians are protesting the legislative actions. There is a also a reference to cost. Wouldn’t it be more simple if the professionals monitored age appropriate materials.
The only reason the legislature is involved is because they seek to protect children. This issue is no different than protecting children from smoking and alcohol. Filtering and its costs only become an issue when children in the library are at at risk of exposure to age inappropriate materials.

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pchuck says:

April 17, 2004 at 12:18 am

Kinda Funny….
Here is a line from the second article:

A spokeswoman says local policies are working well to protect children from obscene content.

This is at the bottom of the page of the same article:

Previous Stories:

April 9, 2004: Public Library To Allow Online Access To Adult Content

I know there is a lot more to the April 9 story and one shouldn’t go by headlines alone, but it is still kinda funny.

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Anonymous Patron says:

April 17, 2004 at 7:46 am

Filters and who profits
Get real. If filters are mandated on all computers who profits, hello!!! Check out the stock market on the major filtering companies. And don’t forget that N2H2 just sold out to Secure Computing (profit once again for the guy who pushed and pushed till CIPA passed Congress). It’s not about protecting the children or they wouldn’t require the filters on staff machines. Do you really think the library directors allow kids in their offices to use the Internet? I am so sick of hearing that same old song and dance “we must protect the children”. Librarians adhere to the law and protect the children in Florida libraries. We also protect our patrons right to constitutionally protected speech. Filters don’t work more effectively than the human intervention. Also in Florida, it has to do with unfunded mandates being passed down to local govts. That is a violation of our constitution. What do you suggest that the libraries cut in order to pay for these filters and for the staff to turn them on and off upon request? Yes, with CIPA or the proposed Florida laws you must TURN them OFF not just unblock a particular site. The Florida bills also allow patrons to file civil complaints against the library if they see something objectionable, filter or no filter and the fines are $100 per day against the library.

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mdoneil says:

April 17, 2004 at 8:40 am

Re:Filters and who profits
Yep, everything is a conspiracy.

The people who own oil, they pushed for the manufacture of the car.

The people who own paper, they are completly against the Internet because less books will be published.

Everything is a conspiracy.

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commonsense says:

April 17, 2004 at 10:20 am

Re:The only reason the legislature is involved…
>> [as quoted] “is to protect children”

Absolutely right!!! The public libraries have, as a whole, failed to protect children–all in the interest of “free speech”, but in doing so, the library decision makers are rapidly losing control of that capability and also of their budgets.

Until public librarians are willing to use reason in protecting their clientele, this trend will continue.

There is no reason to continue the evasive action when filtering has arrived which is reasonably priced and does the job well. See numerous reviews and get more information here:
filters.html

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Anonymous Patron says:

April 17, 2004 at 4:56 pm

Re:Filters and who profits
You did not answer the previous writer’s question: what would you cut to pay for this unfunded mandate?
According to FLA who conducted a survey of all library directors in the state, the start-up costs for filtering will be over $1.3 million and over $1.2 for every year thereafter. Broward County alone has to fork up over $200,000 just for the software yet they will not have the capability to disable the filters since they are networked through the county government. According to those surveyed they have the choice to turn off public internet access, not buy new books, cut out databases, etc. Every library will feel the impact of these bills even if they already filter. Libraries who already filter have complaints of inappropriate images passing through and most filter MORE than what is legally required. The punitive fines, attorney’s costs, court fees, etc… that can be levied against libraries are unprecedented. Obviously you are not from Florida and having to deal with this mess.

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