[Michlib-l] Wireless Internet--Minors Access

[Pete Sneathen]

We use a Watchguard FW to filter our undesired websites for teens and children.  The website filter features of the Watchguard work in concert with our public access computer groups and user groups (using a product called Pharos), e.g. if you are a child you cannot get to adult content (such as porn) or social media websites, if you are a teen you can get to social media websites but you cannot get to adult content...this is just one example.  It has worked very well for us, and has allowed us to keep our policy very simple for patrons, resulting in no frustrated parents...ok, ok, some parents are always frustrated, but we can't help that. :)

From: michlib-l-bounces at mail.mcls.org [mailto:michlib-l-bounces at mail.mcls.org] On Behalf Of Julie Fikes
Sent: Friday, September 27, 2013 9:14 AM
To: 'Kopja, Ray'; 'BillieJo Bluemer'
Cc: michlib-l at mail.mcls.org
Subject: Re: [Michlib-l] Wireless Internet--Minors Access

We filter our entire wireless network using Meracki.  There have been no complaints about Teens unable to access the sites they need/want to use.

~Julie

**************************************

Julie Fikes, Assistant Director
Brandon Township Public Library<http://www.brandonlibrary.org/>
304 South Street
Ortonville, MI  48462
tel:  248-627-1464
fax:  248-627-1491


"I've just surfaced from spending several days in a state of rapture: I was reading a book. I loved this book. I loved every second of it. I was transported into its world.
I felt alive and engaged and positively brilliant, bursting with ideas, brimming with memories of other books I've loved."

                                                                                                                                             Nora Ephron
                                                                    American Film Director, Producer, Screenwriter, Novelist, Journalist, Author, and Blogger



From: michlib-l-bounces at mail.mcls.org<mailto:michlib-l-bounces at mail.mcls.org> [mailto:michlib-l-bounces at mail.mcls.org] On Behalf Of Kopja, Ray
Sent: Thursday, September 26, 2013 10:30 PM
To: BillieJo Bluemer
Cc: michlib-l at mail.mcls.org<mailto:michlib-l at mail.mcls.org>
Subject: Re: [Michlib-l] Wireless Internet--Minors Access

Our wireless is 100% filtered using openDNS. CIPA regulations to qualify for erate. Every single computer whether it Is public, staff or wireless is filtered.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE DROID


BillieJo Bluemer <billiejo at rauchholzlibrary.org<mailto:billiejo at rauchholzlibrary.org>> wrote:
Quick question:

My library has unfiltered Wireless Internet that is password protected. On advice of our attorney, who is a library law specialist, we deny minors access to the Wi-Fi based on P.A. 212 which says minors cannot use unfiltered Internet in library without parent/guardian sitting next to child. In order for a minor to use our Wi-Fi, a parent must obtain the password and stay near the child. It seems we are getting screamed at every day by angry parents because of our policy.

I'd like to know what other libraries' policies are when it comes to Wi-Fi: do you block minors' access if  your Wi-Fi is unfiltered?

BillieJo Bluemer
Library Director
Rauchholz Memorial Library
1140 N Hemlock Rd
Hemlock MI 48626
989-642-8621
billiejo at rauchholzlibrary.org<mailto:billiejo at rauchholzlibrary.org>

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