Confessions of a Mad Librarian

Caveat lector: I've been interning with this organization for the past 3 months ...

The ACLU of Northern California has just issued this advisory regarding Sacramento public libraries:

ACLU Urges Library Authority Board to Change Internet Policy that Violates the First Amendment

SACRAMENTO – The ACLU of Northern California (ACLU-NC) and the Sacramento County Chapter of the ACLU-NC are urging the Library Authority Board to revise a policy that limits the public’s access to constitutionally protected material on library computers.

In March, 2007, the Board adopted a "tap on the shoulder" policy that instructs librarians to ask library patrons to stop viewing any material that "would interfere with the maintenance of a safe, welcoming and comfortable environment." Failure to comply can result in the loss of internet privileges. The current policy also requires blocking software on all Sacramento library computers. The software can be turned off only if an adult -- or, for minors, a parent -- specifically requests it.

Because of these policies, a wide array of material that library patrons have a First Amendment right to view is vulnerable to censorship.

“Young people – particularly those who don’t have access to the internet at home - who depend on libraries as a place to go to find out information on sensitive issues are especially impacted by this policy,” said Michael Risher, ACLU-NC staff attorney. “The current policy violates their right to important and sometimes life-saving information.”

The San Jose Public Library recently completed testing of three internet filtering programs and found that WebMD, the American Urological Association, and PFLAG, (Parents and Friends of Lesbian Gays – a LGBT support and advocacy group) were among the sites blocked. The programs also blocked the library’s Health and Wellness Resource Center database and the World Book Encyclopedia online.

The Library Authority Board is scheduled to discuss the Library’s Internet Use and Access Policy at its next meeting, March 27th, 2008.

WHAT: Hearing regarding the Sacramento Public Library Internet Use & Access Policy
WHO: Michael Risher, staff attorney at the ACLU-NC
WHEN: Thursday, March 27, 2008
3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
WHERE: Board of Supervisors Chambers
700 H. Street
Sacramento

To learn more about the issue, including recent reports and San Jose’s filtering tests, visit the ACLU-NC's Library and Internet Filtering Issue Page