So, Sheryl, you interpret this sentence "By reserving, to individuals 18 years of age or older or minors who are accompanied by their parent or guardian, 1 or more terminals that are not restricted from receiving any material" that the parent just needs to be in the building with them? We have always done as Billie Jo does--required parent to sit with the young person. Isn't it too bad that our laws are open to interpretation? A little clarity would be great! Ann @ Allegan On Fri, Sep 27, 2013 at 11:14 AM, Knox,Sheryl Cormicle <knoxs@cadl.org>wrote:
I’d like to suggest that “based on P.A. 212 which says minors cannot use unfiltered Internet in library without parent/guardian sitting next to child” is not accurate. Here is a summary of the implications of the Michigan law posted by the Library of Michigan at the time of its amendment: ****
Public Act 212 of 2000(SB 936) effective October 1, 2000, was signed by Governor Engler on June 26, 2000. This amendment to the Library Privacy Act requires local library boards to adopt and enforce a policy that restricts minors from Internet access to obscene or sexually explicit matter harmful to minors. The new section of the act requires filtering software or some system or method designed to prevent a minor from viewing objectionable material be used. Libraries established by community college districts, colleges or universities are exempt from this new requirement, as are private libraries open to the public.
http://www.michigan.gov/libraryofmichigan/0,2351,7-160-18668_18689-54462--,0... ****
Here’s the act itself: http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-397-606 *** *
It might be accurate to say that your library’s system for preventing minors from viewing objectionable material is to require their parent to sit next to them, but that system is not required by Michigan law.****
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*From:* michlib-l-bounces@mail.mcls.org [mailto: michlib-l-bounces@mail.mcls.org] *On Behalf Of *BillieJo Bluemer *Sent:* Thursday, September 26, 2013 6:07 PM *To:* michlib-l@mail.mcls.org
*Subject:* [Michlib-l] Wireless Internet--Minors Access****
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Quick question:****
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My library has unfiltered Wireless Internet that is password protected. On advice of our attorney, who is a library law specialist, we deny minors access to the Wi-Fi based on P.A. 212 which says minors cannot use unfiltered Internet in library without parent/guardian sitting next to child. In order for a minor to use our Wi-Fi, a parent must obtain the password and stay near the child. It seems we are getting screamed at every day by angry parents because of our policy.****
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I’d like to know what other libraries’ policies are when it comes to Wi-Fi: do you block minors’ access if your Wi-Fi is unfiltered?****
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*BillieJo Bluemer*
*Library Director*
*Rauchholz Memorial Library*
*1140 N Hemlock Rd*
*Hemlock MI 48626*
*989-642-8621*
*billiejo@rauchholzlibrary.org*
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-- Ann Perrigo, Director Allegan District Library 331 Hubbard Street Allegan, MI 49010 269 673-4625 aperrigo@alleganlibrary.org <aperrigo@alleganlibrary.org> Good times or bad--your library is here for you!