PROTECT FREEDOM OF INFORMATION IN THE LIBRARY

WHEREAS the Public Library's role is to offer unfettered access to

information and the internet is the most up-to-date place to find

information on any subject;

and WHEREAS many people rely on the library for internet access because they do not have access at home, and others use the library to do research in a confidential manner because they do not feel safe doing so at home;

and WHEREAS internet filtering has been found to be very imprecise, with a sizeable fraction of pornographic material still getting through and an even larger amount of legitimate health, sexuality, and other material being blocked; and the proposal by Councilman Constant, written by the right-wing group Values Advocacy Coalition, makes it very onerous for adult users in the library to bypass filtering; and calls for blocking of "objectionable material," the definition of which is very subjective and could lead to requests to block access to other material and to remove certain books from

the shelves;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Santa Clara County Democratic Party calls on San Jose's City Council to reject the proposal to install internet filters on library computers, and urges the Council to take the time needed to properly study the issue and implement common sense safety precautions;

and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Santa Clara County Democratic Party will inform elected Democrats on the San Jose City Council that we support them in standing up for the protection of access to information in San Jose's Public Library system.

Approved by the Santa Clara County Democratic Party, November 1, 2007.