From the Library Action Manual Questions About Software Solutions at Libraries 1. The decision to overturn the indecency provision of the CDA makes providing a closed or filtered Internet system even more imperative, because there is no federal law in place to deter online pornographers and predators from knowingly giving such material to children. The Supreme Court has consistently ruled that communities may adopt their own standards, and implement laws and ordinances accordingly. The decision on the CDA in no way affects community standards, and those standards should be upheld, including at the public library.
Censorship involves prior restraint by the government of production or distribution of materials.
To choose not to stock certain materials is not censorship, but selection, because those materials are still available elsewhere. The same holds true with the Internet. Blocking software and closed systems allow librarians to select what will, and will not, be made available at the public library. Filtering technology blocks objectionable sites based on key words. Blocking technology blocks objectionable sites based on address.