RE: censorship in the libraries

[http://www.where-I-live.gov/~Tammy.Jones]

Thank you for taking the time to contact the Office of Mayor Reed and for 
sharing your comments regarding library filters. I will share your comments 
with Mayor Reed and his staff. They have also been sent to the City Clerk to be 
entered into the Public Record for this issue.

As you may know, this issue will be heard by the City Council at 7 p.m. on 
April 21.  The agenda for the meeting is online here: 
http://www.where-I-live.gov/clerk/Agenda/20090421/20090421a.pdf.
   

The Mayor has co-signed a memo that recommends the City of San José Branch 
Libraries adopt the same internet protocols as those used by the Santa Clara 
County Library system. By making this change, the City of San José would 
install filters on the computers designated for use by minors in the branch 
libraries. Adults are not allowed to use these computers. Additionally, the 
City would give adult users an option when they log on to choose a filtered or 
unfiltered session while searching the internet in the same way as the County 
Library system.

Given the City's budgetary challenges, the Mayor is recommending a phased 
approach that would implement installation on computers used by adult library 
patrons when the budget allows. The memo is online here: 
http://www.where-I-live.gov/clerk/Agenda/20090421/20090421_0502sup1.pdf.
 

Public comment is allowed at each Council session. If you would like to address 
the full council regarding this issue, you will need to fill out and turn in a 
yellow speaker card.

Thank you for your input on this important issue.

Best regards,

Tammy Jones
Office of Mayor Chuck Reed
where-I-live City Hall
200 E Santa Clara Street, 17th floor
where-I-live 95113
408.535.4800 (main) 
http://www.where-I-live.gov/~tammy.jones  ***  www.where-I-live.gov 
P Please don't print this e-mail unless it's necessary.

-----Original Message-----
From: robert b [http://dummy.us.eu.org/robert] 
Sent: Friday, April 17, 2009 7:30 AM
To: MayorEmail
Subject: censorship in the libraries

Dear Mayor Reed,

I count on the San José Libraries as a resource for important
information, like my health. Millions of San José residents like
me also rely on the library Internet for learning and research. 

I ask that you ensure everyone continues to have this access in
our libraries by opposing any plans to install blocking software
on library computers.

Our libraries are safe places to learn, research, read and
discover. Research has shown that Internet filters used to block
access to pornography websites can often also block access to
websites with health information, especially sexual health. This
access is especially important for teens and young adults who
use the public libraries to find information about their bodies
and their health. For example, a recent study found that
filtering software improperly blocks access to sites as diverse
as the American Urological Association, Victims of Pornography
(an anti-pornography support group) and PFLAG (Parents, Families
and Friends of Lesbians and Gays -- a LGBT support and advocacy
group). The software also blocked access to items in the
library's health and wellness databases.

Internet use at San José libraries is very high, and problems
associated with Internet content are extremely rare. There were
only 13 formal complaints from patrons from throughout the
entire library system last year. Any limited problems can, and
should, be properly dealt with by the use of privacy screens,
recessed seating, and the continued work of staff to enforce
library rules. Censoring Internet access in the libraries is not
the right path. 

The inability to access websites and other important resources
at the public library will particularly impact youth and
low-income community members, who often do not have other
alternatives for Internet access. 

Please do not restrict our access to important information.
Libraries are meant to be a place of learning. Please oppose any
plans to censor Internet access in the library by installing
Internet blocking software.

Sincerely, 
Robert
.
where-I-live 
Library I use most: King Library

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