Jefferson County Library | CIPA Compliance


Compliance with the Children's Internet Protection Act

The Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) was passed by Congress in 2000 and affirmed by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2003. Libraries that wish to receive Federal funding for Internet access costs, are required to install blocking or filtering software on library Internet workstations. Under CIPA, that blocking software is designed to prevent access to visual depictions that are obscene, contain child pornography, or are harmful to minors as defined by CIPA. The Supreme Court decision upholding CIPA, mandated that libraries must be able to turn off blocking or filtering software upon request of an adult, 17 years or older.
The Neighborhood Children's Internet Protection Act (NCIPA), also passed in 2000, sets guidelines for a library Internet safety policy. This policy must address: (1) access by minors to inappropriate matter on the Internet; (2) the safety and security of minors when using electronic mail, chat rooms, and other forms of direct electronic communications; (3) unauthorized access, including so-called `hacking', and other unlawful activities by minors online; (4) unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal identification information regarding minors; and (5) measure's designed to restrict minors' access to materials harmful to minors.
In order to comply with CIPA and NCIPA, the Jefferson County Library has taken measures to assist in the safe and effective use of the Internet by all minors.

We have developed an Internet safety policy (Internet Acceptable Use Policy).

We have installed an Internet content filter designed to block Internet sites that contain adult sexual content. The filter is designed to not block sex education or health sites.

We have installed software that allows staff to turn off filters for adults, 17 years or older.
To address the issue of the safety and security of minors when using electronic mail, chat rooms, and other forms of direct electronic communications, as well as unauthorized disclosure of, use, and dissemination of personal identification regarding minors, the Library urges parents and caregivers to supervise their children's use of the Internet and to:

Use the Internet as a family. Join your children in Internet exploration.

Explore the wide range of available information and tell your children about sites that you consider inappropriate for them.

Encourage children to use sites recommended on the Library's website and counsel them to avoid sites you consider unsuitable.

Provide guidelines for your children on the amount of time they spend online, just as you may do for television viewing.

Instruct children who are using electronic mail, chat rooms, and other forms of electronic communication to follow basic safety guidelines: never give out personal information (name, address, phone number etc.) never arrange via computer to meet someone and never respond to messages that are threatening or suggestive, remembering that people online may not be who they say the are.

Teach children to be good online consumers. As with print information, consider the source, date, and accuracy of online information.

Teach children about the legal and ethical risks associated with unauthorized access ("hacking") of proprietary web sites.

In addition, the Library staff are available to train parents and children unfamiliar with Internet access and usage. We also provide "Search Engines for Kids" on the library website.

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Internet Acceptable Use Policy
Internet Filter Error Reports