In providing the revolutionary information resources of the Internet on computers in our Library buildings, the Akron-Summit County Public Library faces a challenging situation. First, we must continue to make our facilities welcoming and comfortable places for children and families. Secondly, we need to respect the legally established First Amendment rights of adults to view content on the Internet. These two sometimes conflicting objectives shape our approach to Internet access.

The Library has implemented the following measures to address these issues:

• The Library has always been concerned with juvenile access to the Internet, having required a parental signature for a child’s Internet access from the very beginning of this service. Now available through the Library’s borrower’s card, Internet access for any person under the age of 18 must be authorized by a parent or guardian’s signature on the card registration.
   
• Internet filtering software which limits sexual imagery has been installed on all Library computers in Children’s and Teen areas of our facilities, and on any computers facing high public traffic areas. Because of the open floor plan of our library facilities, this means that virtually all computers are now filtered. If an adult requests access to an unfiltered computer, staff will direct the customer to a computer which will be unfiltered while that individual is using it.
   
• Anyone overtly displaying sexually explicit imagery by showing printed material to others, or by asking or allowing others to crowd around a computer to view such imagery, will be regarded as in violation of the Library’s Internet Conduct Guidelines and the Library’s Patron Behavior Guidelines. Such behavior will result in the person being asked to cease, and may result in being asked to leave the Library.