... AND AGAIN IN APRIL (WE’RE NO FOOLS!)

The NYLA Intellectual Freedom Committee met again April 25, 10:30 am- 2:00 pm, at Four County Library System (near Binghamton) with the following agenda.

Old Business:

ü      Programming for NYLA Conference - Report on what has been planned

ü      Speaker Bureau - Review of Revision

New Business:

ü      Letter to Senator Schumer Regarding PATRIOT Act (see Return to Senator elsewhere in this newsletter)

Other:

ü      Continuing Education around the State

v     On March 21, 2003, Eleanor Kuhns also posted the following for our consideration…

Please find enclosed a number of proposed bills that directly affect libraries. I think we need some discussion on possible action.

¾ Eleanor

NEW YORK A 1690. Would make it illegal to display sexually explicit matter that is harmful to minors to a minor.

Would require public libraries that offer Internet access to provide filtered access on at least one segregated computer terminal for minors. Any child under 17 would be prohibited from using the Internet access terminal in a public library without the written consent of a parent or guardian.

A 1745. Would require public libraries to provide at least one Internet access computer terminal that filters obscene or pornographic material for minors, or to reserve at least one Internet terminal with unfiltered access for people 18 and older. In addition, the bill states that no public library may allow a child under 17 to use an Internet access terminal without written consent from the child’s parent or guardian. Any public library with multiple Internet access terminals would be required to segregate at least one from the other and dedicate it to use by children.

A 2861. Prohibits the operation of an adult establishment within on mile of a residential dwelling in any city with a population of one million or more. “Adult establishment” means a commercial establishment where a substantial portion of it includes an adult book store, adult eating or drinking establishment, adult theater, other adult commercial

establishment, or combination of above.

A 3780. Prohibit selling or renting to a person under 18 any video game that contains depictions describing, advocating, or glamorizing the commission of a violent crime, suicide, sodomy, rape, incest, bestiality, sado-masochism, any sexual activity in a violent context, or advocating or encouraging murder, violent racism, religious violence, morbid violence, or illegal drug or alcohol use.

COMPANION BILL: SB 2327

A 3999. Requires video game manufacturers to display a rating on the cover of each game. It would be illegal to sell or rent a video game contrary to the affixed rating.

A 4187. Requires each public library to develop a policy for acceptable Internet use by its patrons, including measures to restrict minors’ access to material that is harmful to minors. Children under 17 would be prohibited from using Internet access terminals in public libraries without the written consent of a parent of guardian. In any public library with multiple Internet access terminals, one or more of the terminals would be segregated from the others and dedicated for use by children. Each library would be required to offer Internet safety classes for children under age 17, and each library would be required to post its policy at all Internet access stations and makes the policy available to all patrons.

A 4202.Requires that any video game offered for sale be clearly marked with a warning that watching or playing video games could cause seizures or seizure-like symptoms.

SB 849. Would require every video game sold or distributed within New York have a clear rating on its cover. Minors would be prohibited from buying or renting any video game rated inappropriate for minors by the ESRB.

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