L.A. Public Library: CIPA Filtering Requirements Do Not Apply to Us

LOS ANGELES—A representative from the Los Angeles Public Library responded to AVN this morning regarding federal funds it has received since 1996 through the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), which allocates E-rate funding to schools and libraries which, if used to support internet access and internal connections services, must comply with requirements of the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA), which include having blocking software on library computers used by patrons. The representative said that the library does receive federal E-rate funds but they are not used for internet purposes and therefore the library system is not required to comply with the law. Indeed, the USAC website concurs that “CIPA does not apply to [school and library authorities if] they are receiving discounts for telecommunications services only,” meaning the telephone system. The rep did not say for what purpose (or purposes) the E-rate funds the library receives are used.