These same laws and filters also can have the effect of restricting everyone's right to free access to information in the name of protecting children. What should be available to whom under what conditions is the central question we are attempting to resolve. The American Library Association has long supported principles of intellectual freedom that have made libraries a source of any information without regard to topic, political position, or age of user. Our Internet access policy will take into account the ALA position. The Collection Committee and the Board are working on a preliminary draft of our Library's Policy on Internet Access.
Patrons use Internet resources at their risk.
We are striving for a policy that has broad community support and protects the interests of the entire community. When the preliminary draft of the policy becomes available, I hope you will read it and discuss it with others. This is an issue that deserves our best collective guidance, and a resolution on which we can stand together as a community. Hughes Moir is Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Nederland Community Library.