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A Resolution Supporting ALA Legal Action Against CIPA

WHEREAS the recently enacted Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) mandates that libraries and schools install and use filtering software on public Internet computers as a prerequisite for receiving federal funds, including LSTA and E-rate funds; and

WHEREAS the recently enacted Neighborhood Children's Internet Protection Act (NCIPA) mandates the adoption of a prescriptive Internet safety policy that undermines local control for recipients of E-rate discounts; and

WHEREAS no filtering software successfully differentiates constitutionally protected speech from illegal speech on the Internet; and

WHEREAS the federal commission appointed to study child safety on the Internet concluded filters are not effective in blocking all content that some may find objectionable, but do block much useful and constitutionally protected information; and

WHEREAS libraries and librarians are partners with parents and legal guardians and work to help their communities become information literate by teaching them to access, evaluate and use information; and

WHEREAS the Wyoming Library Association supports the principles of open, free, and unrestricted access to information and ideas, regardless of the format in which they appear; and

WHEREAS the Wyoming Library Association recognizes that the Internet provides valuable information that allows a library to fulfill one of its primary missions; and

WHEREAS the Wyoming library community strongly believes that educating children to use the Internet wisely provides children their best protection, now and in the future; and

WHEREAS the Wyoming Library Association respects the rights of parents and legal guardians and encourages them to select those library resources and services they deem suitable for their own children; and

WHEREAS the Wyoming Library Association strongly encourages local libraries to adopt and implement Internet use policies in the same way they develop other policies, based on the needs of their communities; and

WHEREAS the Wyoming Library Association opposes attempts by federal and state governments to mandate the use of Internet filters; and

WHEREAS the American Library Association has resolved to challenge CIPA and NCIPA in federal courts;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Wyoming Library Association endorses and supports this legal action by the American Library Association.


Adopted by the Wyoming Library Association Executive Board, February 15, 2001
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