tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37091513.post2430526550469785483..comments2023-09-29T00:35:02.409-07:00Comments on Library News: Internet proposal would harm librariesAlicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13038018719406067477noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37091513.post-54228518155602276322007-05-17T20:51:00.000-07:002007-05-17T20:51:00.000-07:00Librarian protest 'misleading'May 17, 2007The libr...Librarian protest 'misleading'<BR/><BR/>May 17, 2007<BR/><BR/>The librarians' May 14 protest was calculated to mislead the public.<BR/><BR/>Under the guise of "educating" their patrons, librarians across Illinois parroted talking points directly from the radical left wing Illinois Library Association in an effort to build opposition to pornography filters. The public deserves the full story in order to fill in the gaps of these "talking points."<BR/><BR/>Talking point: If HB 1727 passes, libraries could be forced to discontinue Internet service. Fact: This is utter nonsense. Virtually 100 percent of the public libraries in the United States provide Internet access, and 21 states have legislation similar to HB 1727. Obviously, Internet filtering legislation has not led to the loss of Internet access in public libraries.<BR/><BR/>Talking point: Filters are too expensive. Fact: The cost of installing filters is offset by federal funding and actually saves taxpayers money in the long run. Poor/urban libraries gain the most federal funding once they filter.<BR/><BR/>Talking point: Because filters aren't perfect, librarians can't "in good conscience" sign a pledge to follow this law because they don't want to be held accountable if some pornography slips through. Fact: Librarians will be held accountable for utilizing the filters, not ensuring their perfection.<BR/><BR/>Talking point: This law takes away local control. Fact: No, it doesn't. Libraries get most of their revenue from local sources, not the state. This law only affects state funding.<BR/><BR/>Libraries can choose to forego state funding if they really want to continue to provide access to Internet pornography. As it is, these libraries are already passing up federal funding for the same reason and passing the costs on to the taxpayers.<BR/><BR/>Talking point: Filters are inflexible. Fact: No, they're not. Incorrectly blocked sites can be easily unblocked.<BR/><BR/>Talking point: Filters hurt the poor. Fact: Utilizing filters saves libraries an average of $17,000 per year in federal funding, and libraries in poor areas are entitled to the greatest discounts. The fact is that not filtering hurts the poor.<BR/><BR/>Denise Varenhorst<BR/><BR/>President<BR/><BR/>Family Friendly Libraries<BR/><BR/>Suwanee, GASafeLibraries®https://www.blogger.com/profile/06756725065032196698noreply@blogger.com