Library+blocking+web+access+case

Wednesday, February 27, 2013 SHILLINGTON, Pa. — The ACLU on Wednesday accused an eastern Pennsylvania school district of blocking Internet content about gays. The American Civil Liberties Union said that Governor Mifflin School District’s Internet filtering software blocked sites that a student tried to access for research. The Berks County district’s “sexuality” filter blocks sites expressing support for the gay-rights movement, while an “intolerance” filter blocks a range of political advocacy sites, including ones that oppose legal protections for gays, the group said. The ACLU said that violates students’ free speech rights. “Being able to access information on the Internet at the school library is not only critical for academic purposes, it can also be a lifeline for (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) students in crisis who don’t feel safe seeking support on their home computers,” said Reggie Shuford, executive director of the ACLU of Pennsylvania. “Blocking these sites not only violates the First Amendment, but it does a disservice to students trying to learn about themselves and the world around them.” The ACLU has sent a letter to Governor Mifflin asking that it reconfigure the filtering software. A district spokeswoman did not return a message from The Associated Press seeking comment. Junior Maison Fioravante, who was blocked from accessing the sites, started a petition that drew 3,200 signatures, the ACLU said. []
 * __ Censoring Web Access __**
 * ACLU says Pennsylvania school blocked info on gays **

**__ Process of ‘Uncensorship’ __** A. Preparation a. Gather information on and understand internet filtering software and laws pertaining to censorship i. District Policy ii. Library Bill of Rights iii. First Amendment Rights iv. ALA’s Core Value v. State filtering laws vi. Open Access Policy b. Understand the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) c. Familiarize yourself with the content on the internet page(s) that have been blocked. d. Study cases involving censorship of web access

B. Action a. Schedule and invite people to come to a meeting regarding Internet Filtering Software i. Offended ii. School community iii. District IT rep iv. School IT rep v. School admin vi. Counselor b. Express understanding of their concerns c. Present your material. Stick to the facts. d. Answer any questions e. Request the filtering software be removed or reconfigured