San Francisco Bans Filters in Libraries

San Francisco officials have voted to ban Internet filters on computers in local public libraries, risking the loss of some $20,000 in federal funds. The San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted Monday unanimously to prohibit filters on city-owned computers used by the public, excluding Internet terminals designated exclusively for individuals under age 13. The ban rejects regulations governing federal funding of schools and libraries enacted last year under the Children's Internet Protection Act (CHIPA). The law requires schools and libraries to filter Web content or forgo federal funding.

"There is no technology yet that can differentiate between what is harmful and what is not," said Supervisor Mark Leno, who sponsored the ordinance. "It's more important that the library along with parents teach our children how to use the Internet responsibly, and there's no filtering device that can substitute for that," he added. Leno maintains that filters would block information related to many health-related issues, such as breast cancer, AIDS, anorexia and sexuality. Maria Schneider, spokeswoman for the San Francisco Library, said the legislation passed by the board supports the library's current policy, which is not to use filters on public Internet terminals.

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