Libraries are repositories of information and of late, portals to the Internet. Libraries conduct themselves within the framework of what is considered socially and culturally acceptable. Even within that context of responsible behaviour, libraries keep copies of Mein Kampf, Adolf Hitler’s polemic, and other publications that many within the surrounding community would find taboo.

The Internet imposes an entirely new set of issues for libraries since most of them today provide computer terminals and access. How libraries deal with their use as information disseminators while addressing the sensitivities of societies to inappropriate content is through Internet Codes of Conduct.

These typically advise library patrons that library computers are filtered to conform to country, state or provincial laws which govern issues such as obscenity and child pornography. A typical policy states that the library staff does not act in “loco parentis”  (in place of parents) when a child is utilizing the library’s resources.

Library codes of conduct recognize that the filters they impose to protect the most vulnerable may mistakenly block legitimate information that a researcher requires.  For these cases, library codes of conduct may stipulate that such information searches be assisted by the unblocking of sites in a timely manner.

But not all branches believe filtering technology is the answer, arguing that it infringes on the intellectual rights of individuals.  Rather, some Ontario libraries  maintain that an Internet agreement outlining the expected code of conduct online suffices in deterring the access of inappropriate material.

But Newmarket-Aurora MPP Frank Klees disagrees, noting that uniform and consistent safety measures need to be  applied to all facilities across Ontario.  “When parents drop off their children at school or a public library, it is expected appropriate steps have been taken to make this material unavailable,” he added.

Enter Gerry Martiniuk, Member of Provincial Parliament for the riding of Cambridge, Ontario. Martiniuk has introduced a private member’s bill to the Ontario Legislature with the intent to legislate that all schools and public libraries introduce filters to block pornography on computers used by anyone under the age of 18.

“The rules are needed because libraries have a patchwork of policies on the issue, and some computers in some schools lack filters,” states Martiniuk. “We all know there’s a shortage of manpower both in our public libraries and in our schools…you can’t supervise the kids 24 hours a day. This would alleviate that problem.”

Private members’ bills seldom pass in the Ontario Legislature and this one is similarly bound to fail. The proposed bill is seen by many to be a thinly-veiled form of centrally-imposed censorship.

When Premier Dalton McGuinty was asked to comment about this proposed legislation he indicated that parents, not the government, must take responsibility for ensuring that children are not exposed to pornographic material.

An Internet search on library codes of conduct regarding obscenity and pornography indicates that a vast number already have policies in place to deal with the issue. To review the Toronto Public Library’s policy on Internet access, you can find it here.

Sources:
News release, “Porn Filters Need in Schools, Libraries: MPP,” http://www.gerrymartiniuk.com/innews-sep-16-09.html

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