Midlothian Council Library Service

Public Access Internet and Content Filtering

Public Internet Access in Midlothian Autumn 1999 - Spring 2000 • DS Galaxy Library Management System introduced via ‘trusted’ council network.

Spring 2000 • Security concerns concerning web catalogue prompt move to ‘semi-trusted’ schools network.

Spring 2001 • Public access Internet service launched in all libraries with I-Gear filtering administered by education IT staff.

Autumn 2001 • Schools move to new network. I-Gear filtering now responsibility of library staff.

Filtering Options • Don’t filter Internet content at all. • Use a single level of filtering.

• Use different levels of filtering for different age groups.

• Use ‘walled garden’ approach.

Midlothian Filtering Policy Three ‘cast’ levels: Adult: 16 years of age and older - relatively unrestricted Teenage: 11 to 16 years of age - more restricted. Child: 10 years of age and younger - most restricted

I-Gear: How it works User casts set up using: • Themed lists of URLs • Dynamic Document Review (DDR) Also: • Keyword blocking

Monitoring Usage I-Gear can monitor Internet access by a number of criteria including: • Client - the IP number of the terminal used • The date/time each site is accessed or denied • ‘Content Violation’ - cases where the URL appears in a list denied to the user cast or the DDR limit is exceeded • Cast of user

Problems • Filtering initially too restrictive • Inactivity timeout - web mail problems • Text in image format • Foreign language sites • Framed search engine results • I-Gear re-licencing problems • Access to secure servers

Library responsibility for filtering software Pros: • We understand the needs of our users • Setting changes can be made quickly • Use can be monitored Cons: • Takes time to learn software

Acceptable Use Policy • Warning about illegal/offensive material • Explanation of library service filtering policy • Details of booking procedure • Maximum number allowed at a computer • Disk virus check procedure • Legal disclaimer regarding Internet content

Useful References Filtering: • Ormes, Sarah: An Introduction to Filtering

www.ukoln.ac.uk/public/earl/issuepapers

• The Library Association: The Use of Filtering Software in Libraries

www.la-org.uk/directory/prof_issues/filter.html

Acceptable use Policies: • Ormes, Sarah: Filtering - Is This The Answer?

www.ukoln.ac.uk/public/present/london/policies.htm

• Public Library and Network Policies (incl. AUP ‘kit’)

www.peoplesnetwork.gov.uk/infra/policies.asp