Protecting children from inappropriate online content is the aim of a bill currently in review by the General Assembly. If passed, the proposal will force any state-funded library in Virginia to install filtering programs on all computers with Internet access, including VCU’s James Branch Cabell and Thompkins-McCaw Library.
The bill would allow the library board or other governing body to choose the software to be used, so long as it is in compliance with the Library of Virginia. A member of the library board would have to oversee the installation of the software.
The primary purpose of this policy is to protect children from materials deemed harmful to library patrons under the age of 18, such as child pornography.
The proposal is also designed to keep adult visitors and library employees from sending, receiving, viewing or downloading illegal content via the Internet on a state-funded machine.
Library patrons who wish to see materials deemed hazardous may do so under the supervision of a library employee if that patron can prove it is for research purposes.
Sen. Mark D. Obenshain, R-Harrisonburg, sponsors the bill, which is currently under review by the Senate Committee on General Laws and Technology.