Michigan town rejects library Internet filters at least for adults

The Associated Press

02.29.00

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HUDSONVILLE, Mich. — Patrons at the library here can once again cruise the information superhighway, although children will have limited Internet access.

After voters in Holland township rejected an ordinance last week that would have mandated Internet filters at their library, Hudsonville city commissioners voted unanimously to repeal a similar ordinance they had reluctantly adopted in December.

The commission had adopted the ordinance after local residents, with the help of the Mississippi-based American Family Association, submitted a petition asking commissioners to approve the ordinance or put it to a public vote.

Commissioners then shut down Internet access at the library, saying the potential for costly legal battles over the filters was too great.

They voted Feb. 23 to restore Internet access at the Gary Byker Memorial Library, but, unlike at Holland's district library, there will be some restrictions.

Hudsonville will install a $24,000 software system that limits all children's Internet access, and allows parents to impose tougher restrictions if they wish. The Smart Guardian software is expected to be operational March 8.

Jackie Gerlofs, who submitted the original petition in December, told The Holland Sentinel that she would circulate a new petition to try to bring the issue before voters.

"I don't think that the commissioners are doing what reflects the heart of the community, but I did expect this," Gerlofs said.

City Manger Leon Van Harn says that if the issue comes back to the city commission again, it will likely be put to a public vote, although mandatory filtering won't be the only choice on the ballot.

"The voters will have a choice," he said. "Between their ordinance and our own ordinance, which would be to allow the Smart Guardian type of technology."

The AFA and petition backers argue that Smart Guardian is inadequate, but not all residents agree.

"We've had a lot of telephone calls from members of the community," Van Harn said. "I think they're supportive of the fact we will still be filtering the Internet for children ... and they agree with us that is it is a violation of the First Amendment to filter the Internet for adults."

Hudsonville resident Maureen Van Hoven said she was pleased with the commission's decision and said parents again have control over what their children see on the Internet.

"I think that it's a great filtering system," Van Hoven said about the Smart Guardian. "It allows us to protect our First Amendment rights, and as parents allows us to protect our children."

The Holland ordinance, also the result of an American Family Association petition drive, was put to a public vote after city officials there refused to approve it.