L’Observateur / September 17, 2000

DEAR EDITOR: At the Sept. 5 Parish Council meeting, Councilman Ramchandran introduced an ordinance to require the public library “to install filtering systems in computers which are made available to the public throughout St. CharlesParish.” As a parent, a former school teacher, and the Youth Services Librarian for the St. Charles Parish Library, I share the Council’s concern about children’s safety. I am writing in response to this proposed ordinance, and to inform the public of what the library is already doing to address these concerns.

As the Youth Services Librarian, I work with both the Internet and the chilren of our parish on a regular basis. As someone familiar with both the benefits and dangers of the Internet, I know that the good far outweighs the bad, but I understand why some people are fearful. Hundreds, if not thousands, of children in our parish use the Internet every day to explore the whole world of ideas and information, but an incident in a neighboring parish has precipitated the current controversy. The problem in Jefferson Parish was certainly unfortunate and I can understand why it prompted parents to contact their representatives. The reality, however, is that those two girls had a bad experience because of another person’s behavior, not because of anything they found on the Internet.

Computer software “filters” are often seen as a quick-fix to protecting children online, but these filters are far from perfect. Testing shows that filters block access to perfectly legal, useful information that some adults and children may want or need. Testing also demonstrates that filters fail to block all the material that might violate a particular family’s values and beliefs, including sexually-explicit sites. Several academic studies, and even the manufacturers themselves, admit that it would be impossible to accomplish this.

The St. Charles Parish Library is concerned that the use of filtering software in libraries can give parents a false sense of security, in addition to restricting access to important information. We believe there are better ways to address this problem, and we are already using them.

Our library, like many around the nation, has implemented an “Electronic Resources Use Policy” designed to protect children from offensive material while still preserving the public’s access to information. This policy is available for review at all four of our branches (Luling, Destrehan, Hahnville and Norco) and on our own website at www.stcharles.lib.la.us/erpolicy.htm. An excerpt from this policy, stating specifically what actions are prohibited, is posted in every library branch and is the first screen displays when a patron logs onto one of our public computers.

Parents are the best Internet filter for their children for several reasons.

In addition to blocking some “good stuff” and missing some “bad stuff,” filtering software cannot adapt to the age and maturity level of a particular child. Filters also do not help your child learn to make independent judgements and to say no. In fact, use of filtering software encourages children to surrender their decision-making responsibility to a machine.

In addition to our policy, the library has identified and recommended websites that we have found to be useful, and included them on our own homepage.

We have also developed seven Online Safety Tips for Parents. These tips are printed on bookmarks distributed at all library branches, and are also available on our website. Furthermore, all of our public access computers are in plain view of the front desk, so that staff can be immediately aware of any objectionable behavior.

I encourage everyone to visit one of our library branches, to see how the Internet is being used. Visit our website to see some resources that we recommend. Anyone that has concerns should feel free to contact me at the West Regional branch in Luling (785-8464 or sgeorge@stcharles.lib.la.us).

Sean P.S. George

Luling

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