InCommon Library Services

[Renee Shuey <>]

I'm forwarding this message from another list. When I read it, I was 
wondering if this provides an external driver for authenticating all 
library patrons or changes our views of any current practices.

Renee

-------- Original Message --------
Subject:        [ICPL] Legal Restrictions on Internet Access
Date:   Thu, 29 Nov 2007 11:53:39 -0900
From:   Rich Greenfield <>
Reply-To: 	Institute for Computer Policy and Law Constituent Group 
Listserv <>
To:     



The issue of public library computer use by patrons who are under court 
order to stay off the Internet could move from an Arkansas issue (see 
excerpt and link below) to a national issue next year. Future DOPA 
(Deleting Online Predators Act) –like legislation might require 
libraries (using E-Rate?) to check computer user names and/or IDs 
against the FBIs sexual offender database (as FaceBook and MySpace now 
do) before giving access to public terminals. Most prisoners have lost 
Internet access once it was discovered how easy it was for them to run 
Internet scams. It may eventually follow that anyone convicted of 
Internet-based crimes might lose their Internet “privileges” as a matter 
of law, but who will be responsible for enforcing such bans?

Even if no such legislation passes at state or federal levels, what will 
be the future liability of an institution with open public access 
terminals when a sexual predator or other criminal user commits a crime, 
for which use of the institutional computer was an essential element, 
where the institution took no available precautions to prevent such use?

Are prisoners and sexual predators the canaries in the mineshaft when it 
comes to maintaining anonymous Internet access?

Rich

+++++

“Since the arrest of an accused sex predator at the library, the Pope 
County Library System’s director says she’s considering posting the 
pictures of registered sex offenders. She will meet with police on 
Tuesday to discuss it.

Meanwhile, Creekmore says the task force is looking into other ways to 
stop sex offenders from using library computers.

Creekmore said, "Maybe get libraries the means to run people's names who 
want to use public computers through ACIC [Arkansas Crime information 
Center] , to find out if they are prohibited from using computers."

The legislation is being drafted for the 2009 legislative session.”

Excerpted from Sexual Offenders Target Libraries

http://www.todaysthv.com/news/news.aspx?storyid=54110

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