By documenting real-life Internet access conditions in schools and libraries, the Online Policy Group and other organizations involved in a coalition for this purpose, can provide the kinds of hands-on assistance school and library staff need when faced with implementing filtering systems.

The Schools and Libraries Project lists here some additional resources, including media coverage and links to organizations and related publications related to schools and libraries. More general information about online policy issues is available from the Issues list in the right column of most pages on this site.

Media Coverage

Student Writers Try to Duck the Censors by Going Online

Students at Centralia High School in Washington experienced censorship of items in their school newspaper, so they put the information online and formed CNN (the Centralia Nerd Network), NY Times, June 7, 2001 (free registration required to view article)

Massachusetts Internet Filtering Technology Company Says Mandatory Filtering Laws Aren't Needed

SurfControl has issued a statement saying that Internet blocking laws are not necessary, CNET News, June 4, 2001

Say It Out Loud: Libraries Are Hot

The popularity of libraries in recent years gives them standing ground when it comes to fighting for access to e-books, Chicago Tribune, June 1, 2001

Controversial Ruling on Library Filters

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issued a preliminary finding suggesting that librarians at the Minneapolis Public Library may have been subjected to a hostile work environment due to viewing of porn at patron computers, New York Times, June 1, 2001 (Free registration required to view article)

Some Librarians Balking at Internet Filter Mandate

Many libraries in Iowa are not happy with the prospect of blocking Internet resources from their patrons, Chicago Tribune, May 30, 2001

Bill Ties E-Rate Funds To Net Anonymity Blockers

A bill proposed by Felix Grucci, Jr. (R-NY) would require schools and libraries recieving E-rate funding to block anonymous web and emailing services, Newsbytes, May 16, 2001
Additional Resources: Who Is E-Mailing Our Kids Act

Libraries Win Delay in Installing Internet Filters

Public schools and libraries have until at least July 2002 to comply with a federal law requiring Internet blocking technologies in exchange for federal grants and discounts, San Francisco Chronicle, May 16, 2001
Related media coverage:
Washington Post, May 16, 2001
SiliconValley.com, May 16, 2001

FilterGate, or Knowing What We're Walling In or Walling Out

A humorous and insightful essay on the problems associated with Internet blocking, MultiMedia Schools, May 1, 2001

Down by Law: New Internet Laws Will Hurt the Poorest of the Poor

An opinion piece addressing the digital divide in the light of CHIPA and other government policies, A List Apart, April 6, 2001

American Library Association Votes to Challenge CIPA

The executive board of the American Library Association (ALA) voted yesterday to initiate legal action challenging the recently enacted Children's Internet Protection Act (CHIPA or CIPA), American Library Association, January 18, 2001

Joint Statement Opposing Legislative Requirements for School and Library Internet Blocking Technologies

Join this growing constituency of organizations and individuals who have published a joint statement in response to the US Congress' passage of legislation requiring blocking technology in all public schools and libraries participating in federal programs in order to galvanize opposition to mandatory blocking technology and to promote educational methods for youth to use the Internet safely and effectively, January 17, 2001

Schools' Net Nanny Mines Student Data for Profit

Hillsborough County schools hired a company to keep students away from rough stuff on the Internet...[but the company] provides information about the students to those who can reach the kids on their own, The Tampa Tribune, January 14, 2001.

ACLU Moves To Block Filtering Law

The Associated Press reported that the American Civil Liberties Union plans to fight new legislation requiring all schools and public libraries that accept federal money to use Internet filtering software, ACLU, December 19, 2000

Consortium Offers Unfiltered Advice on Filtering Software

The Safeguarding the Wired Schoolhouse initiative, launched by the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN), is intended to provide school leaders with general guidelines for evaluating Internet protections, New York Times (may require free registration to access), December 6, 2000.
OPG invites organizations to form truly "unfiltered" network with no commercial ties to Internet blocking technology.

Free School Computers Withdrawn

ZapMe's model of free computers for schools may fail due to commercial intrusion into schools, New York Times (may require free registration to view), November 2, 2000.

Study: Public Library Net Access Rises; Filtering Up

Summary article about the survey of public library filter use in a report based on research sponsored by the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science, Library Journal, September 25, 2000.

U. of North Carolina Gets $4-Million to Expand 'Public Library of the Internet'

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's MetaLab, one of the busiest digital libraries on the Internet, on Monday received a $4-million gift and a new name, ibiblio.org. Its benefactor says the gift will help the site develop its unique character as "the public library of the Internet", The Chronicle of Higher Education, September 12, 2000.

Internet Survey: 16.8% of Public Libraries Use Filters

Summary article about the survey of public library filter use in a report based on research sponsored by the American Library Association and conducted by the Library Research Center of the Graduate School of Library and Information Science, University of Illinois, Library Journal, July 10, 2000.

California Internet Survey: 28 Percent of Sample Use Filters

A survey of public libraries in California, conducted to determine compliance with a state law requiring them to have a policy regarding minors' Internet use, suggests that 28 percent are using Internet filters, Library Journal, April 3, 2000.

Organizations and Related Publications

Cyber Liberties Threatened by Congress, Say Civil Rights Activists

As a special report to the Online Policy Group, Sara Nordin discusses the various sides of CHIPA, Online Policy Group, June 9, 2001

Online Policy Group Invites Organizations to Participate in Non-Commercial Network on School and Library Internet Blocking Requirements

Organizations concerned with legislative requirements for the use of Internet blocking technology in public schools and libraries are invited to form a truly "unfiltered" network with no commercial ties to Internet blocking technology, Online Policy Group, January 17, 2001.

Oppose Internet Censorship

Fax the US Congress regarding Sen. John McCain and Rep. Ernest Istook's amendment to a spending bill that would require public schools and libraries that receive federal funding for Internet access to install Internet blocking software, ACLU, September 19, 2000.

Blue Highways

Guidelines and Considerations for Developing a Public Library Internet Use Policy

Includes information on intellectual freedom, the First Amendment to the US Constitution, pornography, obscenity, Internet filtering software, Internet use policies, and related court rulings, American Library Association, updated November 2000.

Public Libraries and the Internet 2000

The 2000 national survey of public library outlet Internet connectivity (in Adobe PDF format); a report based on research sponsored by the U.S. National Commission on Libraries and Information Science and conducted by John Carlo Bertot and Charles R. McClure, September 7, 2000.

Survey of Internet Access Management in Public Libraries

A report surveying public library filter use (in Adobe PDF format); based on research sponsored by the American Library Association and conducted by the Library Research Center of the Graduate School of Library and Information Science, University of Illinois, July 2000.

Moving toward More Effective Public Internet Access

The 1998 national survey of public library outlet Internet connectivity (in Adobe PDF format); a report based on research sponsored by the U.S. National Commission on Libraries and Information Science and the American Library Association and conducted by John Carlo Bertot and Charles R. McClure, Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1999.

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