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Internet Filtering Software Policy

In November 2003, all King County Library System (KCLS) library cards will be automatically set to filtered Internet access in order to comply with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA). CIPA requires that libraries receiving federal funding filter all computers with Internet access.

If you are 17 years or older and would like unfiltered access on your card, please see a staff member and request unfiltered access for“bona fide research and other lawful purposes.”

A person under the age of 17 years must have filtered access on his/her card.

At the King County Library System , SurfControl Web Filter is set to block certain categories of information and certain URLs. 

Categories blocked include:

• Adult/Sexually Explicit
• Remote Proxies
• Violence

Computers in the children’s areas of the KCLS libraries will continue to use SurfControl Web Filter and are set to block all of the aforementioned categories, as well as the following categories: 

• Advertisements • Spyware • Chat • Search Engines • Glamour & Intimate Apparel • Sexual Education • Hosting Sites • Tasteless and Offensive • Personals and Dating • Usenet News • Phishing and Fraud • Web-based email • Shopping

Patrons may request this more restrictive level of filtering for themselves or for their children under age 17.  They would then receive this level of filtering on all library public computers.

**Please remember that no Internet filter is 100% effective.  A filter may allow objectionable information to be accessed.  It is the responsibility of parents or legal guardians to monitor the Internet use of their minor children.

 

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Last Updated: July 22, 2007