TOWN OF CHAPEL HILL - File #: [22-0513]

• File #: [22-0513]
• Version: 1
• Type: Discussion Item
• Status: Passed
• File created: 4/15/2022
• In control: Town Council
• On agenda: 6/8/2022
• Final action: 6/8/2022
• Title: Consider Library Internet Use Policy and Internet Filtering.

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
6/8/2022	1	Town Council	adopted	Pass

title

Consider Library Internet Use Policy and Internet Filtering.

body

Staff:	Department:
Susan Brown, Executive Director	Chapel Hill Public Library
Meeghan Rosen, Assistant Director

Overview: We are asking Council to authorize the Town Manager to revise the library’s Internet Use Policy to install an internet filtering device to restrict the display of pornographic images on the library’s computers. This change would allow the Town access to federal funding for technology to conduct core library business and meet strategic Digital Inclusion objectives.

Recommendation(s):

That the Council authorize the Town Manager to revise the library’s Internet Use Policy and install an internet filtering device that restricts access to pornographic images on library-owned computers.

	Attachments:
	• Resolution
	• Draft Staff Presentation
	• Current Library Internet Use Policy
	• Draft revised Library Internet Use Policy
	• Children’s Internet Protection Act

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE REVISION OF THE LIBRARY’S INTERNET USE POLICY AND THE INSTALLATION OF AN INTERNET PROTECTION DEVICE ON LIBRARY-OWNED COMPUTERS (2022-06-08/R-12)

WHEREAS, the Town values intellectual freedom and the free expression of ideas; and

WHEREAS, the Town also values digital inclusion, seeking to foster digital equity, provide access to technology, and build digital literacy skills so that all people may fully participate in our society, democracy, and economy; and

WHEREAS, the federal government provides eRate discounts, Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) awards, Emergency Connectivity Funds, and other funding for libraries to purchase technology and advance digital inclusion; and

WHEREAS, these federal funds are restricted to libraries that comply with the Children’s Internet Protection Act of 1999 (CIPA); and

WHEREAS, CIPA requires libraries to operate an internet protection measure that filters or blocks the display of pornographic images; and

WHEREAS, Chapel Hill Public Library does not operate an internet filter to block the display of pornographic images on library-owned computers and is therefore not compliant with the Children’s Internet Protection Act; and

WHEREAS, being non-compliant with CIPA makes the library ineligible to apply for federal eRate discounts and other federal funds for technology; and

WHEREAS, a modern internet filter could be configured and administered by library staff to stop pornographic images from displaying while minimizing impacts on all other search results; and

WHEREAS, by installing an internet filter and updating the library Internet Use Policy, the Town would become eligible for federal funding for technology to conduct core library business and meet strategic objectives around Digital Inclusion.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council authorizes the Town Manager to revise the library’s Internet Use Policy and install an internet filtering device that restricts access to pornographic images on library-owned computers.

This the 8^th day of June, 2022.

end

The Agenda will reflect the text below and/or the motion text will be used during the meeting.

presenter

PRESENTER: Susan Brown, Chapel Hill Public Library Director

RECOMMENDATION: That the Council authorize the Town Manager to revise the library’s Internet Use Policy and install an internet filtering device that restricts access to pornographic images on library-owned computers.