This report summarizes a survey, which was taken by the NCAC in the spring and summer of 2001 that looked at studies and tests describing the operation of products or software programs used to filter WWW sites.

What are filters and how do they work? Which ones are the most effective for school and public libraries? Are there legal ramifications to using filters. As more libraries offer Internet access to their customers, filtering is becoming a major topic with library boards, governing officials, and the community. This book is a guide that aims to prepare and inform librarians in schools and public libraries about the issue. Contents include: a description of filters and their alternatives, along with factors to consider in the library's decision whether to use them or not; explanations and evaluations of over a dozen client-based filters, proxy servers, and proxy server enhancements including Bess, Cyber Patrol, Cybersitter, Net Nanny, Safesurf, Surf Watch, and Websense; a discussion on the legal issues involving filters, including recent cases and the question of how much legal responsibility libraries have for Web content they make available.

In Censorship on the Internet: From Filters to Freedom of Speech, author Wendy Herumin defines complex terms and concepts as she explores this controversial subject. With such diverse topics as the Bill of Rights, filters in schools and libraries, the legal status of students, and the worldwide debate over the World Wide Web, Censorship on the Internet covers issues of great relevance to young readers. Book jacket.

Collecting several key documents and policy statements, this supplement to the ninth edition of the Intellectual Freedom Manual traces a history of ALA’s commitment to fighting censorship. An introductory essay by Judith Krug and Candace Morgan, updated by OIF Director Barbara Jones, sketches out an overview of ALA policy on intellectual freedom. An important resource, this volume includes documents which discuss such foundational issues as The Library Bill of RightsProtecting the freedom to readALA’s Code of EthicsHow to respond to challenges and concerns about library resourcesMinors and internet activityMeeting rooms, bulletin boards, and exhibitsCopyrightPrivacy, including the retention of library usage records

A report on how internet personalization is controlling and limiting information to users reveals how sites like Google and Facebook only display search results that they believe people are most likely to select, raising a risk that users will become less informed, more biased and increasingly isolated. 50,000 first printing.