Volunteers Needed

Volunteers are needed to help visit public libraries and conduct a simple survey to assess whether mandated filters are in place on the public computers. State laws requires the use of internet filters if a library receives state funds.

Please contact us to coordinate which libraries you are able to visit, and to receive further instructions. The library survey form is available on this page for you to download.

Unfiltered internet access in public libraries has caused exposure of children to pornography.

In 2001, Women for Decency officers began the work of contacting libraries in Utah regarding their internet protection policies. Across the state, all libraries were in compliance with Utah law which required them to have an internet policy, but most Utah libraries could not adequately show how this policy was being enforced.

Working through the legislative process, a bill was successfully passed in 2004 requiring libraries that received government funds to implement a computer Internet protection policy. We are now in the process of assessing compliance through our Library Survey project.

What are Federal E-rate and LSTA funds?

To help public libraries provide their patrons with internet access, Congress created two forms of federal assistance.

First, the E-rate program, established by the Telecommunications Act of 1996, entitled qualifying libraries to buy internet access at a discount.

Second, pursuant to the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA), the Institute of Museum and Library Services makes grants to state library administrative agencies to electronically link libraries with educational, social, or information services; assist libraries in accessing information through electronic networks; and pay costs for libraries to acquire or share computer systems and telecommunications technologies.

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