Activist wants filters placed on library computers
By Lynn Zerschling Journal staff writer | Posted: Sunday, December 09, 2007
The computers at Wilber Aalfs Library. (Staff photo by Jim Lee)
SIOUX CITY -- By her own admission, Linda Holub is on a crusade to rid public library computers of pornography.
About a month ago, she turned in petitions to the City Council that bore more than 700 signatures -- and said she could have gotten 5,000. She also asked the council to strengthen library policies to block out porn.
However, the city doesn't have any control over library operations. City Attorney Jim Abshier said state law gives that power to library boards of trustees.
Holub next met with Library Director Betsy Thompson and asked her to install better filters on library computers that have Internet access.
Thompson said she believes the library has adequate policies to protect children from Internet porn.
It's unclear what library patrons think about the issue. Those who were using computers at the main branch, Wilbur Aalfs, during two recent visits by the Journal either did not want to be interviewed or declined to give their names.
Holub cited studies from SafeFamilies.org that report nine out of 10 children between the ages of 8 and 16 have viewed pornography on the Internet, in most cases by accident. The studies report young people from 11 to 17 are the largest consumers of Internet pornography, she said. Computers offer users anonymity, accessibility and affordability, she said.
"I've really been passionate about this since 1986, when the Meese Commission came out with its report showing how it is an addictive problem," Holub said.
President Ronald Reagan directed Attorney General Edwin Meese to conduct that study.
"It starts small and causes dysfunction in families," she asserted. "It's a vicious thing that sneaks up on you because it corrupts the soul."
How does she define porn?
"Everybody knows what indecent is when they see it. It might not be illegal."
Holub, who's retired from a career selling real estate, has focused her energy on several causes, including doing volunteer work for Focus on the Family, founded by Dr. James Dobson, an evangelical Christian who is an author, has a syndicated radio show and produces films.
Filters in place
Thompson explained the city's library system has a filtering system on its computers but acknowledged that what could be perceived as pornography could be accessed.
"We have 'black list' filters on the computers that are specifically in the children's area" at Wilbur Aalfs. "What a black filter does is to identify types of content that cannot get through. We can click on it to block for violence and sexually explicit content."
Another bank of computers at Wilbur Aalfs contains what are called "white filters."
"What that does, instead of deciding on the kind of content that can't come through, it's about the kinds of content that can come through. We reserve that bank of computers for government sites, education sites, job application sites and so on.
"Then we have a bank of computers with full Internet access," Thompson said. "There are no content filters in place on these computers."
Before patrons can start searching the Internet, they are required to sign a statement saying they agree to follow the library's Internet policy
"The policy says you can't do anything illegal, and having pornography images in a public building is illegal," she said.
Librarians frequently check the computer screens for compliance with the policy.
Banned from library
"We have an appropriate behavior policy, which we use for inappropriate use of the Internet," Thompson said. "If someone is found using the Internet inappropriately, we will remind them of the policy, which they said they would accept. If it continues, they are asked to leave the library for one day."
Subsequent offenses result in a month's suspension and then a year's. One person was banned last year.
"We have several others who have been banned for other inappropriate behavior. Public libraries are a limited public forum. As such, we have dealt with all kinds of people for years -- long before the issues were electronic."
What behavior gets someone kicked out? Vulgar language, panhandling, drunkenness and inappropriate behavior of a sexual nature.
Holub said that policy is not good enough. She said her research shows libraries in some other states use stronger filters.
Thompson said the city's filtering system is upgraded on a regular basis by the software company the city uses.
"It just goes out on the Internet and the filter provider does it automatically," she explained.
The annual licensing fee for the Internet content management product is $535, which does not include staff time to manage and trouble-shoot the computers.
"It's not so much a monetary issue for the cost of the software, but the ongoing support of public computers is quite staff intensive," she said. "And I think electronic filters imply a false sense of security. They are not fool-proof. Based on our experience and staffing level, it seems to me our system is working."
Library patron Merlyne Smith of Sioux City said in a phone interview that she supports a stronger filtering system on computers with Internet access.
"You see people at those banks of computers all the time. I think it's wonderful they are available," said Smith, a private music teacher. "Even with the cost to add those filters, which is always a consideration, you don't want people able to access pornography. That can lead to other things."
Donald "Skip" Meisner, president of the library Board of Trustees, said: "We know the staff is on top of this. We do have the policy that complies with state law. Certainly, we don't want any access to undesirable materials. ... What we're trying to do is maintain the library's mission in society to provide information and provide it in a healthy atmosphere. If there's a better way to do things, we're always willing to look at it."
Lynn Zerschling may be contacted at (712) 293-4202 or lynnzerschling@lee.net
By the numbers
18 -- computers with Internet access at Wilbur Aalfs
6 -- computers at Wilbur Aalfs that allow access to government, education and job application sites
3 -- computers with Internet access at Morningside Branch
2 -- computers in the children's section at Wilbur Aalfs
1 -- computer with that special government/education/job access at Morningside Branch
0 -- no computers at Perry Creek Branch
About a month ago, she turned in petitions to the City Council that bore more than 700 signatures -- and said she could have gotten 5,000. She also asked the council to strengthen library policies to block out porn.
However, the city doesn't have any control over library operations. City Attorney Jim Abshier said state law gives that power to library boards of trustees.
Holub next met with Library Director Betsy Thompson and asked her to install better filters on library computers that have Internet access.
Thompson said she believes the library has adequate policies to protect children from Internet porn.
It's unclear what library patrons think about the issue. Those who were using computers at the main branch, Wilbur Aalfs, during two recent visits by the Journal either did not want to be interviewed or declined to give their names.
Holub cited studies from SafeFamilies.org that report nine out of 10 children between the ages of 8 and 16 have viewed pornography on the Internet, in most cases by accident. The studies report young people from 11 to 17 are the largest consumers of Internet pornography, she said. Computers offer users anonymity, accessibility and affordability, she said.
"I've really been passionate about this since 1986, when the Meese Commission came out with its report showing how it is an addictive problem," Holub said.
President Ronald Reagan directed Attorney General Edwin Meese to conduct that study.
"It starts small and causes dysfunction in families," she asserted. "It's a vicious thing that sneaks up on you because it corrupts the soul."
How does she define porn?
"Everybody knows what indecent is when they see it. It might not be illegal."
Holub, who's retired from a career selling real estate, has focused her energy on several causes, including doing volunteer work for Focus on the Family, founded by Dr. James Dobson, an evangelical Christian who is an author, has a syndicated radio show and produces films.
Filters in place
Thompson explained the city's library system has a filtering system on its computers but acknowledged that what could be perceived as pornography could be accessed.
"We have 'black list' filters on the computers that are specifically in the children's area" at Wilbur Aalfs. "What a black filter does is to identify types of content that cannot get through. We can click on it to block for violence and sexually explicit content."
Another bank of computers at Wilbur Aalfs contains what are called "white filters."
"What that does, instead of deciding on the kind of content that can't come through, it's about the kinds of content that can come through. We reserve that bank of computers for government sites, education sites, job application sites and so on.
"Then we have a bank of computers with full Internet access," Thompson said. "There are no content filters in place on these computers."
Before patrons can start searching the Internet, they are required to sign a statement saying they agree to follow the library's Internet policy
"The policy says you can't do anything illegal, and having pornography images in a public building is illegal," she said.
Librarians frequently check the computer screens for compliance with the policy.
Banned from library
"We have an appropriate behavior policy, which we use for inappropriate use of the Internet," Thompson said. "If someone is found using the Internet inappropriately, we will remind them of the policy, which they said they would accept. If it continues, they are asked to leave the library for one day."
Subsequent offenses result in a month's suspension and then a year's. One person was banned last year.
"We have several others who have been banned for other inappropriate behavior. Public libraries are a limited public forum. As such, we have dealt with all kinds of people for years -- long before the issues were electronic."
What behavior gets someone kicked out? Vulgar language, panhandling, drunkenness and inappropriate behavior of a sexual nature.
Holub said that policy is not good enough. She said her research shows libraries in some other states use stronger filters.
Thompson said the city's filtering system is upgraded on a regular basis by the software company the city uses.
"It just goes out on the Internet and the filter provider does it automatically," she explained.
The annual licensing fee for the Internet content management product is $535, which does not include staff time to manage and trouble-shoot the computers.
"It's not so much a monetary issue for the cost of the software, but the ongoing support of public computers is quite staff intensive," she said. "And I think electronic filters imply a false sense of security. They are not fool-proof. Based on our experience and staffing level, it seems to me our system is working."
Library patron Merlyne Smith of Sioux City said in a phone interview that she supports a stronger filtering system on computers with Internet access.
"You see people at those banks of computers all the time. I think it's wonderful they are available," said Smith, a private music teacher. "Even with the cost to add those filters, which is always a consideration, you don't want people able to access pornography. That can lead to other things."
Donald "Skip" Meisner, president of the library Board of Trustees, said: "We know the staff is on top of this. We do have the policy that complies with state law. Certainly, we don't want any access to undesirable materials. ... What we're trying to do is maintain the library's mission in society to provide information and provide it in a healthy atmosphere. If there's a better way to do things, we're always willing to look at it."
Lynn Zerschling may be contacted at (712) 293-4202 or lynnzerschling@lee.net
By the numbers
18 -- computers with Internet access at Wilbur Aalfs
6 -- computers at Wilbur Aalfs that allow access to government, education and job application sites
3 -- computers with Internet access at Morningside Branch
2 -- computers in the children's section at Wilbur Aalfs
1 -- computer with that special government/education/job access at Morningside Branch
0 -- no computers at Perry Creek Branch
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JJ wrote on Dec 11, 2007 12:52 AM:
Counselor wrote on Dec 10, 2007 11:36 AM:
ER wrote on Dec 10, 2007 8:44 AM:
TB wrote on Dec 10, 2007 12:23 AM:
GordonB wrote on Dec 9, 2007 10:46 PM: