Midlothian Council Library Service Public Access Internet and Content Filtering

Public Internet Access in Midlothian Autumn 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 Dont 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 The Library Association: The Use of Filtering Software in Libraries Acceptable use Policies: Ormes, Sarah: Filtering - Is This The Answer? Public Library and Network Policies (incl. AUP kit)