Hello fellow Michigan library colleagues,

I am reaching out to the community to learn about common practices regarding digital resources like Kanopy and Hoopla. Specifically, does your library implement any age restrictions on these services for patrons?

We recently added Kanopy to our digital offerings, and we are currently discussing whether to restrict access for minors. Some staff are concerned about potential CIPA violations and parental backlash due to mature content, such as nudity or sexual themes in certain films. Others believe that restricting access constitutes censorship. 

My thought is that since Kanopy offers a "KIDS" section and parental controls, it is the parent's responsibility to manage their child's viewing. Additionally, I do not believe this falls under CIPA, as we do not use E-Rate funds for this resource.

We would appreciate hearing your perspectives or learning about the procedures your libraries have in place for these digital services.

Thank you in advance for your help!

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Kind regards,

Sarah Skinner (she/her)

District Headquarters Manager

Van Buren District Library

200 N. Phelps Street

Decatur, MI  49045

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