Introduced by Commissioner Michael Severino:

INGHAM COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

WHEREAS, young readers visit the facilities of the Capital Area District Library (CADL) to gather information and to research topics, often in connection with school assignments; and

WHEREAS, while visiting these facilities, school children are often able to use any of the fine resources of CADL, including computers and access to the Internet; and

WHEREAS, while use of the Internet is generally beneficial to users who are minors, unfortunately, unrestricted and unlimited access to the Internet exposes these children to web sites which contain pornographic or obscene material; and

WHEREAS, such exposure to pornographic and obscene material may be intentional or unintentional; however, the viewing of pornographic or other obscene material has been recognized as being harmful to minors; and

WHEREAS, the Michigan State Legislature has recently announced a statewide public policy regarding library computer usage by minors by considering and approving legislation which attempts to curtail the harmful effects of unrestricted and unlimited access by minors to pornographic or obscene web sites by way of the Internet at library computers; and

WHEREAS, the Ingham County Board of Commissioners believes that in furtherance of the protection of the health, safety and welfare of minor children in Ingham County, the CADL Board should immediately consider and adopt policies, consistent with recent State legislation, which utilize a system or method in CADL facilities that is designed to prevent a minor from viewing obscene matter or sexually explicit matter that is harmful to minors.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Ingham County Board of Commissioners commends the Capital Area District Library Board for its efforts to develop and adopt Internet computer use policies, consistent with State statutes, which implement a system or method designed to prevent a minor from viewing obscene matter or sexually explicit matter that is harmful to minors on computers

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Capital Area District Library Board is urged to keep Ingham County informed on their progress in the development and implementation of such policies.

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Mike Severino