Library requires some censorship


July 3, 2008 · Updated 10:40 PM 

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Regarding the recent letters about pornography on the library’s public computers. The First Amendment states, “Congress shall make no law... abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press.” This is a noble challenge against government censorship. But it does not say that the public must be exposed to every obscence depiction that lurks on the World Wide Web.

Sno-Isle’s Library Internet Use and Safety Policy states:

“The Library District complies with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA). All library-owned computers with Internet access, including staff computers, will operate with filtering technology that, to the extent technically possible:

Prevents access to visual depictions that are obscene, and;

Prevents access to child pornography, and;

Prevents access to visual depictions that are harmful to minors.”

This policy was approved by the Board of Trustees and last revised April 25, 2005.

The Sno-Isle Board sets the policy for the library without denying anyone their freedom of speech; just as my wife and I set the policy for Internet use in our home. And there is a lot to censor these days.

I want my family to be safe as they regularly visit the library. Unfortunately, this requires a little censorship.

Brad Packer

Oak Harbor

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