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Midlothian Council Library Service

Midlothian Council Library Service. Public Access Internet and Content Filtering. Public Internet Access in Midlothian. Autumn 1999 - Spring 2000 DS Galaxy Library Management System introduced via ‘trusted’ council network. Spring 2000

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Midlothian Council Library Service

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  1. Midlothian Council Library Service Public Access Internet and Content Filtering

  2. Public Internet Access in Midlothian Autumn 1999 - 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.

  3. Filtering Options • Don’t filter Internet content at all. • Use a single level of filtering. • Use different levels of filtering for different age groups. • Use ‘walled garden’ approach.

  4. MidlothianFiltering 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

  5. I-Gear: How it works User casts set up using: • Themed lists of URLs • Dynamic Document Review (DDR) Also: • Keyword blocking

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. 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

  10. Useful References Filtering: • Ormes, Sarah: An Introduction to Filtering www.ukoln.ac.uk/public/earl/issuepapers • The Library Association: The Use of Filtering Software in Libraries www.la-org.uk/directory/prof_issues/filter.html Acceptable use Policies: • Ormes, Sarah: Filtering - Is This The Answer? www.ukoln.ac.uk/public/present/london/policies.htm • Public Library and Network Policies (incl. AUP ‘kit’) www.peoplesnetwork.gov.uk/infra/policies.asp

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