Libraries split on use of Internet filters

EVERETT — Everett Public Library director Mark Nesse is recommending that the library reject federal Internet funding rather than activate filters for sexually explicit material whenever kids under 17 use library computers.

The Sno-Isle Regional Library System is moving in the other direction.

The system’s board will vote Monday whether to accept a committee recommendation to require the filters even for teenagers and children whose parents say they want their kids to have uncensored access to the Internet.

The Sno-Isle system would lose about $8,300 if it does not comply with the act. The Everett library would lose $416 if it does not comply.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

The library boards are reacting to a June U.S. Supreme Court decision upholding the Children’s Internet Protection Act, which denies federal Internet funding to libraries that do not require filters for kids 16 and younger.

Act supporters say the filters are necessary to protect children from viewing pornographic images.

The Everett library board will meet Tuesday to vote on the issue. Three of the five board members said Thursday that they are leaning toward spurning the $416 in annual federal funding so the library can continue its policy of letting parents decide if their kids should have unfiltered access.

"A library is a bastion of free speech, and librarians as a group are against any sort of censorship," board President Rich Anderson said. "In my mind, this is a parenting decision."

Although the library would lose some federal funding if it does not comply, it would likely have to spend more than that reconfiguring its computers in order to comply with the act, Nesse said.

Everett librarians rarely have encountered library patrons using computers to access pornography, he added.

Under current policy, parents decide when applying for their children’s library cards whether to allow full access to the Internet. That information is coded on the library cards, and librarians turn on filters for minors whose parents request them.

The parents of more than 83 percent of library patrons under 18 choose filters. But the parents of nearly 1,300 children want full Internet access for their children, and Nesse said they, not the library and federal government, should decide what’s appropriate for their kids.

"If we were to comply with this law, parents would not have that choice for their kids," he said.

Rick Forcier, executive director of the Christian Coalition of Washington State, which supports filtering, said parents don’t always realize that kids can come across pornographic sites even if they’re not looking for them.

"It’s hard for adults in our homes and offices to not run across that stuff," he said. "Parents aren’t with their children 24 hours a day and depend upon the community at large to protect them."

Dan Anderson, an Arlington City Council member who has lobbied for filters, said it’s not just parents who should decide what material is transmitted through public library computers.

"We all pay taxes for these computers, and it’s a reasonable constraint to filter access to these things," he said.

The Supreme Court ruled that libraries requiring filters for children must let those 17 and older have the option of turning off the filters. But many adults would be embarrassed to make such a request, fearing the librarian would believe they were trying to access pornography, said Judith Krug, director of the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom, which fought the Children’s Internet Protection Act in court.

The devices not only block pornographic images, but also general information on homosexuality, breast cancer, menstruation, sexually transmitted diseases and other topics, Krug said. And just as spam filters don’t catch all spam, anti-pornography filters let some pornographic images get through, she said.

Sno-Isle board President Art Kirschenbaum also wondered whether the filters cast too wide a net.

"There is no doubt that the filters might filter out information that is age-appropriate and is needed for school purposes or for health purposes," he said. "I believe people should have as much information as possible, and it’s not up to the library to be policeman.

"This is a debate between free speech and adhering to the law of the land," said Kirschenbaum, who declined to say how he stands on the issue.

Jeanne Steffener, who as a member of Sno-Isle’s system services committee recommended that Sno-Isle comply with the act, said that, despite her recommendation, she hasn’t decided how to vote when the Sno-Isle board meets Monday.

The other board member who recommended mandatory filtering, Denise DuPont, did not respond to a request for an interview. The four other Sno-Isle board members either did not respond to requests for interviews or declined to state their positions.

Reporter David Olson: 425-339-3452 or dolson@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Cars drive along Cathcart Way next to the site of the proposed Eastview Village development that borders Little Cedars Elementary on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 in unincorporated Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Former engineer: Snohomish County rushed plans for Eastview development

David Irwin cited red flags from the developers. After he resigned, the county approved the development that’s now stalled with an appeal

Outside of the Madrona School on Monday, Aug. 26, 2024 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Sewer district notifies Edmonds schools of intent to sue

The letter of intent alleges the school district has failed to address long-standing “water pollution issues” at Madrona K-8 School.

Everett
Man stabbed in face outside Everett IHOP, may lose eye

Police say the suspect fled in the victim’s car, leading officers on a 6-mile chase before his arrest.

A person walks up 20th Street Southeast to look at the damage that closed the road on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
WA delegation urges Trump to reconsider request for bomb cyclone aid

The Washington state congressional delegation urged President Donald Trump on… Continue reading

Aaron Weinstock uses an x-ray machine toy inside the Imagine Children Museum on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Imagine Children’s Museum $250k grant reinstated following federal court order

The federal grant supports a program that brings free science lessons to children throughout rural Snohomish County.

Snohomish County 911 Executive Director Kurt Mills talks about the improvements made in the new call center space during a tour of the building on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New 911 center in Everett built to survive disaster

The $67.5 million facility brings all emergency staff under one roof with seismic upgrades, wellness features and space to expand.

Everett
Five arrested in connection with Everett toddler’s 2024 overdose death

More than a year after 13-month-old died, Everett police make arrests in overdose case.

Madison Family Shelter Family Support Specialist Dan Blizard talks about one of the pallet homes on Monday, May 19, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Madison Family Shelter reopens after hiatus

The Pallet shelter village, formerly Faith Family Village, provides housing for up to eight families for 90 days.

Help Washington manage European green crabs with citizen science events

Washington State University and Washington Sea Grant will hold a training at Willis Tucker Park on June 2.

Emilee Swenson pulls kids around in a wagon at HopeWorks' child care center Tomorrow’s Hope, a job training program for people interested in child care, on Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021 in Everett, Washington. HopeWorks is one of the organizations reciving funding from the ARPA $4.3 million stipend. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
Early learning group presents countywide survey findings

The survey highlighted the largest issues parents and providers are facing amid the county’s child care crisis.

Brian Murril, who started at Liberty Elementary as a kindergartner in 1963, looks for his yearbook photograph during an open house for the public to walk through the school before its closing on Thursday, May 29, 2025 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Locals say goodbye to Marysville school after 74 years

Liberty Elementary is one of two schools the Marysville School District is closing later this year to save costs.

U.S. Sen. Patty Murray speaks at a round table discussion with multiple Snohomish County agencies about the Trump administrator restricting homelessness assistance funding on Thursday, May 29, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Sen. Murray hears from county homelessness assistance providers

In early May, Snohomish County sued the Trump administration for putting unlawful conditions on $16.7M in grant funding.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.