Saratoga News

Photographed off the Internet by Robert Scheer

Sites like this one on the Internet are accessible to anyone who looks for them. Although it cautions those under 21 not to proceed, some in the community think that's not good enough for computers available to children in public libraries. The Saratoga News blocked images across the top of the page because they were deemed inappropriate for a community newspaper.

Library reaffirms open access to Internet

Commission does support filters on kids' computers

By John Pancharian

Most people agree that children ought not to view obscene or dangerous material on the Internet and that libraries ought to offer uncensored access to information. In spite of this, the middle ground on the issue of whether to offer unfiltered use of the Internet at local libraries remains harder to find than a Starbucks coffeehouse on Big Basin Way.

At its March 25 meeting, Saratoga Library commissioners reiterated their support of open Internet access, a stance they established unanimously last spring. Some members of the community want the commission to install software in library computers that would block access to pornographic Internet sites. The item would not even have been on the agenda had Saratoga City Councilmember Stan Bogosian not requested that the commission reopen the issue.

"I would be very opposed to filters on all machines," Commissioner Karen Ceppos said. "Once you start with filters, you're on a slippery slope toward the erosion of the principles the library stands for."

Other commissioners agreed, asserting various arguments in support of their position. The filtration software available is unreliable, commissioners said, often blocking access to sites relating to safe sex, breast cancer and gay and lesbian support groups. Commissioners also said they do not think it is the job of librarians to police Internet use.

"I don't think the library system or filters can be smarter than parents in deciding what children can see," Commissioner David McLaughlin said. The commission also feared that installing filters offers the false promise to parents that kids will never see anything they shouldn't at the library.

But the commission did give its grudging support to filtering terminals only in the children's section of library.

Teri Jones, a Saratoga resident and a member of the Gilroy-based group Keep Internet Decent and Safe, said at the meeting that neither she nor KIDS wants to prevent adults from accessing any site they choose.

"I think there ought to be unfiltered terminals for adults," she said. "That takes care of the First Amendment problem. But it's illegal to disseminate obscene matter to minors. It's about what you buy with your tax dollars. The First Amendment does not include that the city of Saratoga buys pornography for you."

Jones said she also fears that sexual predators can lure children through Internet chat rooms, and asked that the library help parents protect their kids. "There is a real problem with parents just not knowing about this new technology," she said.

But the Santa Clara County Joint Powers Authority knows all about it, perhaps more than its members wanted to.

The JPA board takes responsibility for administering libraries on the county level. Passionate supporters on both sides of the issue have frequented JPA meetings. Elayne Dauber, head of the JPA subcommittee charged with researching the issue of Internet filters, sounded harried after the last meeting on Feb. 26. "I'm willing to compromise," she said. "Give [KIDS] a little, give everybody a little."

The JPA board meets again April 23 to hear the subcommittee's report.

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