The text from the PUC order below omits a decision made by the MTEAF Board
(formerly MSLN Board) that is critically important to public libraries.
Although filtering will be offered to MSLN sites for the 2002-2003 fiscal
year (and for only that year - unless the Board recommends a different
policy to the PUC) this will be done through a centralized "enterprise"
system.  This has management and cost-saving advantages, and means that
sites can opt to filter or NOT FILTER through this system.  No MSLN site
will have filter.

-----Original Message-----
From: Lord, Linda [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Wednesday, May 29, 2002 3:55 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Partial answer to filtering questions

The following language is from the most recent PUC Order regarding MTEAF and
MSLN.  The full text can be located on the PUC web page under Maine School
and Library Network (page 5, Section K)
K                Internet Filtering

The Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) and the Neighborhood Internet
Protection Act (NCIPA) went into effect on April 20, 2001.  These new
Federal laws place restrictions on the use of funding that is available from
various Federal programs, including E-Rate.  These restrictions take the
form of requirements for Internet safety policies and technology which block
or filter certain material from being accessed through the Internet.  Our
statute and Chapter 285 require that qualified schools and libraries apply
for Federal E-Rate discounts in order to receive MTEAF funding.  Currently,
the American Library Association, along with other entities, is challenging
the legality of these statutes in Federal court and seeking a stay of their
implementation.  The Board recommends that while CIPA is under appeal, we
should assume that the requirements will continue to be in effect, requiring
filtering by schools and libraries beginning July 1, 2002.  The Board has
asked UNET to recommend a filtering product that could be effective for the
entire network.  Filtering technology is much more efficient and has less
negative impact on the network if provided at the enterprise level (by
UNET).  While we do not endorse the requirements of CIPA, we believe the
recommendation by the Board allows local control and more cost effective
pricing.  We agree that UNET should recommend as soon as possible such a
product and the MTEAF will fund any filtering solution, at least for the
2002-2003 MTEAF period.  We ask the Board to report to the Commission on any
filtering plans no later than June 15, 2002.


The MSLN Board hopes to have a product recommendation from UNET in time to
present to the PUC by the middle of June.  I know this isn't as specific as
many of you would like, but it is the most up-to-date news I can provide for
you today.  Best wishes!


Linda H. Lord
Director, Library Development
Maine State Library
64 State House Station
Augusta, ME  04333
Telephone 207-287-5620
Fax 207-287-5624
E-mail [log in to unmask]