The recent Supreme Court Children’s Internet Protection Act decision and Illinois State budget cuts provided
the obvious topics for discussion when the Illinois Library Association (ILA) Public Policy Committee met July 1
at the Illinois State Library in Springfield.
Noting that CIPA clarifications will become available over the next few weeks, Public Policy Committee Chairperson
Kendi Kelley encouraged librarians to take time to study the issue and decide whether they will be required to filter.
"There is no need to rush out and buy the first filter you find," said Kelley, Administrative Librarian for C.E. Brehm
Memorial Public Library District in Mt. Vernon.
In order for the Public Policy Committee to gauge the impact of the ruling, she is encouraging all public library staff to email
her at kendik@shawls.lib.il.us and answer the following two questions: 1) Does your library currently use a filtering product,
and if so to what extent? 2) Do you believe the ruling will require you to filter in the future?
The committee also discussed strategies to deal with the Illinois State Budget cuts as they impact Illinois library users. The ILA
Public Policy Principles were reviewed as preparation for developing the 2004 Legislative Program. Individuals are encouraged
to submit suggested initiatives to ILA President Nancy Gillfillan at ngillfil@starband.net.
The next PPC meeting will be held August 5 via VTEL from the Illinois State Library, DuPage Library System and
Shawnee Library System.
