An article in USA Today focuses on a decision that Multnomah Cty Library Director Molly Raphael will soon be making regarding the filtering of ALL internet searches for children twelve and under (unless parental permission is given).
FOL President Stephanie Vardavas points out the problems with this kind of all-inclusive filtering: “One filter even blocked a search for the site for the 30th Super Bowl because it was listed as Super Bowl XXX, she said.
“What it comes down to is that filters aren’t good at assessing content,” Vardavas said. “They’re good at applying rules.”
Library officials say there are scores of Internet filters on the market but their uses can vary.
The filter currently used by the county uses a “low threshold” that weeds out pornography, Raphael said, but also sites dealing with breast cancer and other subjects.
“It’s not a perfect system, no matter what kind of filter you have,” she said. “We’re trying to provide some flexibility so parents can make a choice.”
Filtering” by definition is a problem
Of great interest to me is the following statement in this article.
“Raphael said the library has received relatively few public complaints about pornography on library computers.
During the 2002-03 operating year, library officials received 55 comments from patrons about Internet filters. Only a handful of those were complaints from people who said they saw another person viewing “objectionable material.”
The point is even if there is not a problem and little substantial complaint, filtering is now about CIPA compliance. Take it or leave it.
The article also states that “Proponents of filters argue that children need to be protected while using the Internet.� Depending on your point of view they may or may not that kind of protection.
“Filteringâ€? by definition is a problem. It assumes an impurity, something must be eliminated from the mix. Pertaining to a a public institution it is not helpful that there is not agreement on what needs to be filtered out. It is also not helpful to demand a “non-existentâ€? perfectionâ€?….even my coffee filter lets a few coffee grounds into the mix.
I would like to see an acquisition model for the children’s library. Good sites only. Purchase the technology from the vendors and get their encrypted secret lists “out of the mixâ€?. Tech companies are good at tech and seemingly lousy at lists. What is allowed and not allowed is determined by the library communities just as they do with books.
This would be a huge job and the fundamental cultural disagreements would still be in place. But at least the vender’s would be out of it and the community would be in control of it…or not…depending on the nature and quality of their community.
Note …the acquisition model is a concept for young children.