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Library Internet Filtering

Internet porn in public libraries and schools

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It is critically important for our children and communities that we free our local libraries from the grip of the American Library Association and make our libraries safe for our children! Make no mistake, the danger to our children is real!

Consider these sobering facts:

  • A teenager molested a little boy in a library restroom after viewing Internet porn on the library’s computer.
  • Smut dealers used their local library to run a child pornography ring.
  • A report entitled "Dangerous Access 2000," published by the Family Research Council, documents hundreds of incidents of library patrons accessing pornography in public libraries including many involving children.

ALA refuses to keep porn from kids

But when begged for help to protect children, not only did the American Library Association turn a blind eye and a deaf ear, the organization further demanded that every library in the country provide children with totally unrestricted access to Internet porn!

For example, when asked about "blocking software" for library computers so children couldn’t access Internet porn, Judith Krug, director of the ALA Office of Intellectual Freedom, said, "Blocking material leads to censorship. That goes for pornography and bestiality too. If you don’t like it, don’t look at it."

Another ALA spokesman, Richard Matthews, echoed Krug saying, "We recognize that minors have First Amendment rights, and any attempt to treat them differently from adults really infringes on those rights."

ALA influence felt far and wide

And to make things worse, the American Library Association wields significant power in our local libraries, giving it great influence over:

  • The universities that train librarians.
  • Job market requirements for most librarians.
  • Sizable portions of state monies for local libraries.
  • Major book awards (especially children's). NOTE: The ALA awards both the Newbery and Caldecott Medals for excellence in children’s books.
  • Training of local library board trustees.
  • Lobbying at both state and federal levels on legislation relevant to the ALA’s agenda.

ALA works to undermine protection of kids

Based on their statements and policies about Internet filtering, it's clear that protecting children from harmful material is not part of the ALA's agenda. The sad truth is that unsupervised, curious eyes will seek out the forbidden. That's what children do. And that's why God calls on us, their parents and concerned adults, to protect them. A brief look at the ALA's record is proof:

  • The ALA played a major role in convincing the Supreme Court to overturn the Communications Decency Act which Congress passed to protect children from Internet pornography.
  • The ALA sued to stop the enforcement of a federal law that would withhold federal funds from any library or school that does NOT filter Internet pornography from children.
  • Not only does the pornography industry help fund the ALA, but ALA president Ann Symons has served on the Playboy Foundation’s awards committee.
  • Playboy executive Christie Hefner was a forum panelist at an ALA convention.
  • The bottom line always comes down to this official policy statement of the American Library Association: "Libraries, acting within their mission and objectives, must support access to information on all subjects that serve the needs or interest of each user, regardless of the user’s age or the content of the material." (See ALA’s Article V of the Library Bill of Rights at www.ala.org)

Something can be done about reckless endangerment of our children

Children do NOT have a Constitutional right to access and view Internet pornography in our local libraries! Or anywhere for that matter.

The question that must be answered is why is a private organization with no legal standing and no authority having so much influence over our libraries and the policies that protect children from harm.

Here's the good news: the ALA truly has no legal authority over what goes on in your local library. The answer lies with the citizens. YOU and your fellow taxpayers own your local library, not the ALA.

If you want the ALA and its pornographic policies out of your community and your local library, GET INFORMED, GET INVOLVED and KICK THEM OUT!

If concerned citizens are armed with solid information and commitment, our local libraries can be rescued from the ALA.

Take note: this fight will not be easy. The people who run the ALA - the Krugs, Symonses, and Matthewses - are radicals of the 1960s. They will not give up their control of your library without a tough fight.

Nevertheless, for the sake of our children and our communities, we must fight to free our local libraries from the radical, immoral agenda of the American Library Association. No sacrifice and no expense is too great when it comes to safeguarding children.

This fight is a local fight. There is no way it can be conducted from some national headquarters. YOU must fight for your own school and public libraries - you and the members of your local community.

There are already over FIVE MILLION sexually explicit adult web sites on the Internet. And thousands more are added EVERY DAY! And the American Library Association wants our children to have totally unrestricted access to every single one of them! We cannot afford to put this fight off a single day.

You can do it one step at a time

Here are some steps and information that will help you begin the process of communicating to your local librarian and directors the need to install filtering on your local library’s Internet computers. By following the recommended guidelines, you will be better prepared to:

  • Address the current problem of Internet porn in your library.
  • Articulate your position to the library, civic leaders, and local media.
  • Persuade others to join and support your goal and purpose.

PRAY

Ask God to direct and guide you through the entire process. You are going to face opposition by the ALA and others. Pray for wisdom and success in your efforts.

RESEARCH

  1. Read and understand as much as possible the facts surrounding Internet filtering, your library’s Internet use policies, your library board members and their terms of service and authority.
  2. Learn how the library administration is structured. Who are the board of directors? How are they selected? Is the library part of a regional system under authority of a central board? Do other cities contribute to the library budget?
  3. Request to look at the public complaint file. Are there any "red flags" that suggest a problem, i.e. patarons viewing pornography, children accessing inappropriate material. What was the library’s response to the complaints?
  4. Learn state and local laws concerning legislative measures that can be taken, such as placing a ballot issue that would mandate filtering before the people during the next election. What is the librarian’s liability for allowing children to access harmful material.
  5. Prepare a list of friends, families and churches that you feel will support you in this project.

ACTION STEPS

  1. Write or visit your local librarian. Share your concerns about the dangers of Internet pornography in the local library. Ask the librarian to consider placing filtering devices on library computers. However, be aware that the American Library Association has policies that instruct librarians how to respond.
  2. Write or call the chairman of the library board. Request to address the board at their next scheduled meeting. A day or two before the meeting, you may wish to notify the local media that you are concerned about pornography in the library. This will help take your message to others who will agree and join with you. Invite friends and supporters to attend meetings and to voice their support of filtering.
  3. Contact your city and county officials. Ask them to publicly stand with you on the issue by proclamation or resolution.
  4. Write letters to the editor. Recruit others to do the same.
  5. Form a local coalition in favor of safer libraries. Discuss ways to reach the community with your message. Newsletters, church bulletin inserts and flyers are excellent tools. Start a petition drive to raise public awareness and to create a database of supporters.
  6. If your local library fails to implement filtering, ask an attorney who supports your efforts to begin drafting a voter initiative for your group. The attorneys at the AFA Center for Law & Policy are available to assist in this effort as well.

  7. Order the "Excess Access" video, documenting the dangers that ALA policies can yield. Excess Access scrutinizes the ALA and uses both drama and interviews with experts who have analyzed the growing power of the group.
 		 
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