By PAULENE POPARAD

The Westchester Public Library Board voted unanimously Thursday to comply with the provisions of the federal Children’s Internet Protection Act. Doing so will allow the library to continue to receive a $16,500 annual subsidy for Internet service.

CIPA compliance was discussed at both the August and last night’s meetings; no one from the public attended either one. During August alone patrons logged 1,759 Internet sessions at WPL and 64 new users registered.

Some libraries have opted to forfeit their federal Internet subsidies rather than restrict what patrons can and cannot view. WPL will conduct a public hearing on the policy change before it becomes final.

The intent of CIPA is to install filtering software to protect access to visual depictions that are obscene, child pornography or harmful to minors. An objection to the software is that it also blocks some legitimate and Constitutionally protected sites. Board President Vern Odom said one patron was blocked from a Wizard of Oz website because it allowed the visitor to donate to breast cancer research.

WPL’s current policy is to allow those age 18 and older to have access to unfiltered computer terminals, and under age 18 with parental permission. Under the new policy no one under age 18, regardless if a parent gives permission, can access an unfiltered computer, even if the intent is for bona fide research. Under CIPA, the board could have allowed 17 year-olds to access unfiltered material.

Thomas Library has 14 public access terminals with the filters installed but disabled for adults, and three filtered terminals for juveniles or adults. Hageman has two terminals each for filtered and unfiltered use. All are configured so a patron using a filtered terminal may not view unfiltered screens.

Board members emphasized that no filter is foolproof and undesirable websites still may be unintentionally accessed. WPL attorney Terry Hiestand noted, “We are not able to sit with these children and make sure they don’t make a wrong turn on the information highway.” He suggested parents discuss Internet usage with their children.

WPL Director Phil Baugher said revised Internet registration forms will have to be prepared addressing the CIPA policy and requiring new signed user agreements. Staff terminals will display whether a patron has access to a filtered or unfiltered terminal before they are allowed to log on. Baugher said if more patrons want filtered terminals, the library will accommodate them.

In other business, WPL is easing back into offering more programming with approval to use $500 from the Gift Fund for a site licensing fee to show copyrighted movies. Baugher said he hopes to arrange both a family film series in cooperation with the Duneland YMCA and a facilitated foreign or genre series at WPL.

Said board member Karen Nash, “It’s a very positive move.”

Circulation overall is still down for 2003 as many new acquisitions are deferred, however 21,193 materials were circulated last month.

After the meeting Baugher said only 12 percent of this year’s $174,000 appropriation for book purchases has been spent because that is the library’s reserve cash and he is hesitant to draw it down. As the budget plays out and finances remain strong, he said, more titles could be purchased later this year.

Visitation at Hageman Library in Porter is picking up as word spreads it is now open afternoons. Baugher said, “We are trying to clean out a lot of clutter at that library.” Videos have been moved to Thomas. Hageman’s collection will target print fiction, homework-related non-fiction and material for elementary and middle-school ages.

The director reported he is researching purchase of an automatic external defibrillator, which range from $1,200 to $4,000. Use of the heart-stimulating equipment would require staff/patron training which might include community groups that use the Library Service Center for meetings. WPL’s insurance agent will be consulted.

Also Thursday, the board approved spending $600 for re-indexing the library’s bibliographic database. It was announced the Friends of the Library fall book sale will take place Oct. 10-12. Another call went out for volunteers to donate hours in various capacities at WPL. Said Baugher, “We can always do more with more volunteers.”

Posted 9/12/2003