Filters have been shown to block access to medical information, political information and information related to the arts and literature. The focus on filters distracts attention and energy away from solving other online concerns. With more than 4 million new pages added to the Web every day, librarians are needed more than ever to cut through the information jungle and help lead library users to the best information sources - whether online or in print. It also is of concern what filtering companies are doing with data they collect. You don't know what you aren't getting.
Filters inhibit web searching and browsing.
This obviously inhibits users' ability to ask their librarian to unblock a given site. The determination of whether material is obscene and, thus, not constitutionally protected must be made by a court. Commercial filtering companies cannot be permitted to take the place of a court of law. Most of the filtering technology products tested recently by Consumer Reports failed to block one objectionable site in five. It doesn't make sense for the federal government to subsidize filters by forcing libraries and schools to buy them.