Internet Filters and the Library

Because of recent circumstances, we’ve been asked a few questions lately about the filters on our public computers and our ability to monitor what people do on public computers.

Do we have filters on our public computers? Yes. We are required by federal law (CIPA) to have filters on our public computers to protect children in order to receive E-Rate funds. https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/childrens-internet-protection-act

We have been eligible for E-Rate funds for well over a decade and have had working filters in place that entire time. WiFi is also protected.

Do we have internet policies in place? Yes. We are required by the State of Oklahoma to have internet safety policies, which are posted on our website. https://www.duncanlibrary.com/library-information

Our policies outline expected behaviors and detail punishments if those expectations are not met. Some behaviors are just against policy and can result in suspension of computer access or even banning. Some behaviors are against the law, and those can result in a full search of the computer and law enforcement involvement.

How do filters work? Very simply, we have software in place that can block suspicious searches, websites, and malware. If staff see or hear about something that should have been blocked but wasn’t, we can add it to the blocked list. If we see or hear about something that is being blocked but shouldn’t be, we can add it to a white list. Both situations have happened in the many years we’ve had filters and firewalls in place. There is no such thing as a perfect filter. A filter is just a bunch of ones and zeroes like all other computer software, and it cannot predict exactly how a human will talk or exactly what a human is looking for. Criminals sometimes figure out what phrases or websites to use to get what they want in such a way that the filter cannot predict.

Does library staff monitor computer activity? Not exactly. A core tenant of library work is the patron’s right to privacy and free access to ideas. https://www.ala.org/advocacy/privacy Libraries are strong proponents of the First Amendment, and monitoring all computer searches and activity would infringe on patrons’ rights. BUT, because the computers are public, staff and other people in the public may see what any individual is doing on a computer at any given time. We have, in the past, had patrons report other patrons for doing things that might break policy. Staff members also make regular rounds throughout the building, during which computer screens are visible. In addition, we have cameras throughout the building for safety. In all of these ways, a person may be caught if they are breaking policy or the law.

What happened two years ago? A patron called the police, reporting that they saw another patron accessing inappropriate images of children online. We helped perform a further search to verify this report, and we turned over the computer to police based on what we found. We discovered that the filters were working well, actually, as most results were blocked, but some things did get through. The police were able to get a warrant and found further evidence at the person’s residence, etc. That person has now been convicted of their crimes and will remain in jail for many years.

What happens now? We learned what lengths people might go to in order to access illegal information on our computers, and we have put in place further policies about installing unauthorized browsers, and we have blocked more search terms and websites that were unknown to us two years ago.   

We continue to be able to show the federal government that we are complying with CIPA with adequate filtering and are doing whatever we can within the limitations of filtering technology to keep illegal activities off our public computers and WiFi network.