On June 23, 2003 the Supreme Court upheld a federal law that requires public libraries to install blocking software on all library computers providing Internet access to the public as a condition of continuing to receive federal subsidies and grants.
All Internet access at the Scarborough Public Library, including wireless access, is provided by the Maine School and Library Network (MSLN) and is funded with “E-rate” federal funds. Therefore, the library is required to comply with the law to use this free Internet service.
Our Compliance Procedures
The law requires that children under the age of 17 be protected from visual depictions that are “obscene, child pornography, or harmful to minors” and that the library has a policy (not necessarily a filtering policy) in place that addresses a number of issues, including:
- Hacking;
- The unauthorized disclosure, use or dissemination of personal information regarding minors;
- The safety and security of minors when using electronic mail, chat rooms, etc.;
- The technology protection measure (blocking software) that is in place
Short of blocking access to all social media sites, libraries have neither the staffing nor formal relationship with minors needed to adequately educate and ensure that minors are surfing and using social media on the internet safely. Consequently, we use software and services at the network level that identify and block sites by their web address. This software/service utilizes a compiled database of adult content site addresses. This form of filtering only filters entire sites (by domain name) that allow, and even promote, content within these database categories. We do not use “keyword” blocking (blocking based on the appearance of words in a site). We rely on the internal policies (and effective enforcement of those policies) within sites such as Google Images, Facebook, and Instagram that do not permit obscene and pornographic images based on their own interpretation of these categories.
Children’s Computers
Websites accessed from all youth Internet capable computers are filtered to block sites that provide pornographic images and/or cater to visual depictions of extreme violence in order to comply with the requirements of CIPA. Chat, web e-mail and social networking sites are not explicitly blocked because they are so ubiquitous and integrated so tightly into the modern WebSphere.
Filtering software may not block all material users might find offensive. The public library, unlike schools, does not serve in loco parentis (in place of a parent). Librarians cannot act in the place of parents in providing constant care and supervision of children as they explore library materials and resources, including those available through the Internet. As is the case with all other library materials, any restriction of a child’s access to the Internet is the responsibility of the child’s parent or legal guardian.
Adult Public Computers, Lookups and Patron Wireless Devices
Access from Adult computers are also filtered for sites that provide pornographic images and/or cater to visual depictions of extreme violence in order to comply with the requirements of CIPA. Additionally, in order to protect our network from hacking, computer security, proxy avoidance, and URL translation sites are also blocked by our network filter.
Access from lookups (i.e., workstations designated for catalog and reference database access) are heavily filtered, as well as “locked down” through other means, since they are not intended for general internet browsing.
Patron owned wireless devices (laptops, smartphones, tablets) that access our Internet connection are also subject to the same filtering as our Adult Public Computers. Since these devices can be easily viewed by children in the library they are blocked from accessing sites that provide pornographic and extremely violent images to comply with CIPA.
Requests for Unblocking
The library staff will temporarily unblock a site for viewing on a site by site basis at the request of a user to enable access for bona fide research or other lawful purpose as long as the site is not, in our judgment, in violation of CIPA guidelines for displaying pornographic and violent images or is an illegal site or a threat to our network security.
Entire Internet sessions will not be unblocked, but rather only the site that has been blocked by our network filtering service.
User Responsibilities
When accessing the Internet, library users must use this resource in a responsible and courteous manner and abide by the following:
- Users must comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including laws governing copyright and the transmission and dissemination of information;
- Users may not invade the privacy of others or engage in any activity that is harassing, defamatory, or threatening; or receive or display graphics which may reasonably be construed as obscene as defined by law.
- Users may not use Library internet access or technology for any illegal or criminal purpose including, but not limited to, committing fraud, hacking, or engaging in communications which are libelous or slanderous.
Violations of any part of this policy may result in the loss of library privileges. Users will be held responsible for any damage to hardware, software, data, furniture, or equipment.
The Library does not endorse the viewpoints or vouch for the accuracy of information obtained through the Internet. Library patrons use the Internet at their own risk and are encouraged to be good information consumers by evaluating the validity of information accessed via the Internet. The Library assumes no responsibility and shall have no liability for any direct, indirect, or consequential damages arising from its connection to the Internet.
Network Administrator Has Wide Latitude
The Board of Trustees gives the network administrator wide latitude to block access to websites determined to be a threat to the library’s internal network and confidential data and to our users’ confidential information.
Policy approved June 16, 2016; amended June 21, 2018; amended April 20, 2023; amended May 21, 2026.