A Practical Guide to Internet Filters

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.