CCLS Internet Filter Information and FAQ

CCLS Internet Filter: Information and FAQs Rev. 2018 EMA http://www.ccls.org

Notes about this Learning Module • Please review the links to documents and websites in this module. Information in these references could be part of the final quiz! • The Quiz button will take you the module quiz. • The Fill Out CE Form button will take you to the CE form. • Directions for navigating the module plus printing and saving your quiz results: User Guide Any other questions? Please email the Staff Development Coordinator 2

What you will Learn … • Know when and how to disable the filter for a patron • Know where to locate further information about the Chester County Library System (CCLS) Internet filter • Know answers to Frequently Asked Questions 3

QUIZ • There is a 10 point quiz at the end of this learning module. • You need to get 100% on the quiz to get credit for completing the learning module. 4

The Chester County Library System (CCLS) enables public access to the Internet and other electronic resources by providing computers and wireless connections. This service is part of the CCLS mission to: • Develop services, resources and collections that meet the cultural, informational, recreational, and educational needs of its diverse community. • Respond to advances in technology and the changing needs of its customers. 5

Filtered Internet access is available at all member libraries through both public computers and wireless connections. The Internet is one of many important library information resources. 6

CCLS … • Values free and equal access to information. • Uses technology protection measures and processes to filter internet content. • Needs to be compliant with the Federal Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA). These three requirements are balanced so CCLS can meet patrons’ diverse interests and individual rights. 7

Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) The Federal Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) was enacted by Congress in 2000 to address concerns about children’s access to obscene or harmful content over the Internet. CIPA imposes rules on schools and libraries that receive certain federal funds. 8

CCLS uses technology protection measures to filter content in accordance and compliance with the Federal Children’s Internet Protection Act, (CIPA), Pub. L. No. 106-554, Div. B., Title XVII, 114 Stat. 2763A- 335 (2000). 9

These rules take the form of requirements for Internet safety policies and technology which blocks or filters certain material from being accessed through the Internet. You can learn more about what these CIPA requires that the following be blocked: terms mean in the • Images that are obscene CCLS Internet Acceptable Use • Child pornography Policy online • And for minors … learning module. • Any material that is harmful to children 10

CIPA does not authorize blocking of controversial or unorthodox ideas or political viewpoints. Guidance from the Federal Communications Commission, the agency charged with enforcing CIPA, states that online social media sites like Facebook do not fall into one of the categories of speech that must be blocked under CIPA. All CCLS Internet access including WIFI and mobile hotspots are filtered. CIPA does not make any distinction between staff and public computers so staff computers are also filtered. 11

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CCLS uses a commercial Users of the CCLS filter program and human public Internet access review to make decisions can experience under about which sites are blocking and over blocked. The CCLS filter blocking. blocks for extreme nudity, pornography, and sexual materials thus making us To address both of compliant with CIPA. these issues CCLS has . developed processes for staff to override the filter for lawful material and processes to report sites that potentially should be blocked in compliance with CIPA. 13

Overriding the Filter CIPA defines an Adult as an individual who is 17 years and older. Adult patrons may request to view a web site blocked by the filter. The adult patron does not need to give any reasons for why he or she needs to see the page. The patron must still comply with the CCLS Internet Acceptable Use Policy. 14

If an adult patron requests to have a page unblocked you: • Enter the username and password for staff overrides • Click apply If you don’t know them, check with your supervisor and or the CCLS Help Desk. These instructions detailed in: CCLS Filtering Information and FAQs We will override the filter and unblock a site on CCLS owned and leased computers We will also do the same on a person’s personal device. 15

A person might feel uneasy asking you to override the filter or they may feel inconvenienced in having to ask. How we as staff handle a request by an adult patron to override the filter is both a First Amendment issue and an opportunity to provide an OUTSTANDING CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE! 16

NOTE: These FAQs can also be found In: CCLS Filtering Information and FAQs The Supreme Court, in its decision on CIPA, said that filtering software could be overridden for an adult patron. They argued that CIPA is not unconstitutional because library staff could easily override filters upon request. Supreme Court Justice Kennedy explained, that as long as libraries override the filter for adult users without delay, there is no basis for a constitutional challenge. In other words the requirement that libraries unblock websites for adult patrons functions as a First Amendment safety valve. However, this does not mean that a patron can view pages that contain visual depictions of sexually explicit material or obscenity. They still must comply with CCLS Internet Acceptable Use Policy. 17

A CCLS staff member who notices inappropriate images or materials displayed on a monitor should refer to the CCLS Electronic Resource Guidelines – Staff Roles and Responsibilities found on the Y Drive\\CCLS Policies and Guidelines\\Electronic Resource Guidelines. If an adult patron asks you to unblock a page, after verifying that the patron is 17 years of age or older, either by visual observation or checking photo identification with date of birth, follow the instructions for Overriding the Filter found on the CCLS Intranet. Check out the information under ‘Resources’. As with any patron’s use of the Internet on the CCLS network, the individual must still comply with the CCLS Internet Acceptable Use Policy. 18

Entering a library username and password to override the filter or to access electronic resources owned or subscribed to by the library is not considered configuring a device so it is acceptable under the CCLS Electronic Resource Guidelines. The emphasis here is on “a library username and password.” These are only known to CCLS staff and we do not want the general public to know them either because of the CIPA requirement that we provide filtered Internet or because of licensing contracts with the vendors. 19

CCLS staff should never know and therefore would not be able to enter, a person’s personal username and password. Configuring generally refers to settings that may need to be adjusted on a device when a new device or program is installed or a different wireless network needs to be accessed. For instance, some libraries provide wireless printing. CCLS staff will provide guidance of how to do this, but not actually do it for the person. There are times you may have questions about the fine line of configuring a personal device and providing information literacy instruction to our customers. If at any time you are unsure, it is best to check with your supervisor or library director. 20

In this case, feel free to override the block. So that CCLS Computer Services can review the site for reconsideration, submit a site review request to the Helpdesk. In the body of the email, provide a brief reason why you feel this site is erroneously blocked. 21

Filters are an imperfect technology and do not provide a guarantee of complete content screening. If you learn of a page/website that is unacceptable according to the CCLS IAUP and it isn’t blocked, submit a site review request to the Helpdesk. In the body of the email, provide a brief reason why you feel this site should be blocked so that CCLS Computer Services can review the site for reconsideration. 22

Once the override credentials have been entered, the override is activated completely for that website and all content categories for a period of one hour. There is no way to block that website and all content categories before the override time period has elapsed. The filter will automatically turn itself back on again after the override time period. 23

CCLS has taken measured and thoughtful steps to ensure CIPA compliant Internet filtering that is First Amendment friendly. We have incorporated and emphasized the core values of intellectual freedom and equity of access embodied in the Library Bill of Rights and the American Library Association Code of Ethics. 24

The CCLS Board has developed a comprehensive Internet Acceptable Use Policy that addresses minor’s online safety and incorporates technology protection measures. CCLS continually evaluates the processes and the filter we use against industry standards to ensure we are compliant with CIPA while still providing the highest quality customer experience. 25

You are now ready to test your knowledge! QUIZ Please Fill out your Continuing Education Form! Fill Out CE Form Thanks for taking this Learning for Success Module! 26

This publication is produced by the Chester County Library. © 2017 LMA The Chester County Library System is committed to equal access to programs, facilities and employment for all persons. 450 Exton Square Parkway, Exton PA 19341 Phone: 610-280-2600 ~ Fax 610-280-2688 ~Home Page: http://www.ccls.org0471. 27