[Michlib-l] Wireless Internet--Minors Access

[Mark Ehle]

Bill Bowman asks: What sort of a code can they get for unfiltered?  Is it a separate SSID that has security on it?

It's a code that OpenDNS issues. You type it in on your browser, and then it pops up a window that needs to stay open for as long as the patron wants to browse unfiltered. Codes can have expiration times, like an hour to whatever you want, so that people can't just save the code and have unfiltered internet forever.

If you are not familiar with OpenDNS (www.opendns.com), you should check it out. They have a great product. We used to use squid and squidguard and dansguardian to filter with and it was always a hassle. OpenDNS is never down, requires no hardware on-site, and just works. They also has very well-done, all web-based tools for controlling what is filtered and what networks are yours and such, and they have decent statistics reporting, too. They also provide some protection from phishing and other malicious sites.

Let me know if you need more info. I am not an employee of theirs, just a happy customer.

Mark Ehle
Computer Support Librarian
Willard Library
Battle Creek, MI

----- Original Message -----
From: "Bill Bowman" <bowmanb at indelib.org>
To: "Mark Ehle" <mehle at willard.lib.mi.us>
Sent: Friday, September 27, 2013 11:14:29 AM
Subject: RE: [Michlib-l] Wireless Internet--Minors Access

What sort of a code can they get for unfiltered?  Is it a separate SSID that has security on it?

Bill Bowman
Head of Circulation / IT Manager
Clarkston Independence District Library
(successor to the Independence Township Library)
248.625.2212 phone
248.625.8852 fax


-----Original Message-----
From: michlib-l-bounces at mail.mcls.org [mailto:michlib-l-bounces at mail.mcls.org] On Behalf Of Mark Ehle
Sent: Friday, September 27, 2013 10:11 AM
To: michlib-l at mail.mcls.org
Subject: Re: [Michlib-l] Wireless Internet--Minors Access

All of our wireless is filtered. We use OpenDNS. Patrons can request a code to allow unfiltered access, and can request individual urls' be unblocked. We rarely get requests for either one.

Mark Ehle
Computer Support Librarian
Willard Library
Battle Creek, MI

----- Original Message -----
From: "BillieJo Bluemer" <billiejo at rauchholzlibrary.org>
To: michlib-l at mail.mcls.org
Sent: Thursday, September 26, 2013 6:07:08 PM
Subject: [Michlib-l] Wireless Internet--Minors Access





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


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