Content Filtering Procedure

General Info:

The Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) requires recipients of federal technology funds to comply with specific Internet filtering and policy requirements.

• A filter is required to block access to material that is obscene, child pornography, or harmful to minors
• The filter will be turned off upon request for adults (17 and older)
• A form is available to suggest that a site be blocked, or that a site be unblocked
• Please refer to the library's “Internet Safety Policy” for more information
• Also refer to the Internet Safety Policy for information on Inappropriate Network Use and Supervision and Monitoring
• The filter will apply to all library computers, including staff computers.

Guidelines for administering the content filter:

• The filter will, by default, be on.
• The CIPA defines an adult as 17 years old or older.
• The filter should be turned off only after the adult patron has been blocked from a site. It will not be turned off at the start of the session.
• A staff member must enter a user name and password at the patron computer in order to turn off the filter for an adult patron.
• The filter will not be turned off for patrons 16 and younger.
• All patrons and staff are still subject to the Internet Use Policy.

Web Site Review Form:

• If a patron would like to suggest a site be permanently added or removed from the Content Filter's list of blocked sites, please have them fill out the form and then send the form to IT.
• The filter may be turned off on a staff computer only when a staff member needs to access a blocked site. IT should then be notified via this form that the site needs permanently unblocked.

Turning the filter off:

• Open a new Internet Explorer window
• There will be a link on the “Surfin” page called “Disable Content Filter” - Click it
• At this point the staff member should tell the patron that if they do not do anything for 5 minutes the filter
• will turn itself back on.
• Click the “Disable Filter” link.
• A login window will appear:
• username: staff
• password: xxxxx
• click OK or press enter

• Do not let the patron see the password.
• The password will change frequently
• If you believe a patron has figured out the password, please inform an IT staff member so it can be changed.