[OPLINTECH] Internet Filtering Assistance Program

[Don Yarman]

[Distributed widely. Please forward to relevant staff].


In 2001, OPLIN and the State Library developed a program to provide
financial assistance to public libraries interested in implementing
filtering technology as part of their plan for managing public access to the
Internet. With the current budget, the State Legislature has allocated
additional funds to OPLIN for the purchase of Internet filters, and so we
are again offering the Internet Filtering Assistance Program.

Eligibility: Any Ohio public library system that wishes to install filters
to screen out obscene and illegal Internet materials on some of its public
access computers is encouraged to apply for a funds.

Assistance Program: OPLIN will provide assistance to a library system up to
$10,000 of the cost of implementing filtering technology. The money may be
used for software, hardware, or support fees directly related to the
implementation of filtering. OPLIN will make up to $100,000 available to
libraries for this program in FY 2006. Note: this is not a reimbursement
program -- these funds cannot be used to reimburse libraries for monies
already spent on filters.

Application Requirements: A library interested in obtaining assistance to
implement or maintain a filtering solution must provide the following
information:


   1. Library name, address, telephone number, and fax number
   2. Director's name, telephone number, and e-mail address
   3. Contact's name, telephone number, and e-mail address
   4. Name and cost of filtering software (attach vendor quote)
   5. Description and cost of any hardware needed to implement new
   filtering solutions (attach vendor quote)
   6. Description and cost of support fees directly related to
   implementation of the filtering solution (attach vendor quote)
   7. A budget of requested funds broken down by software, hardware, and
   support fees (total budget not to exceed $10,000)
   8. Provide the name of each library building in which filtering will
   be implemented; also for each building provide the total number of public
   access workstations, and the percentage of workstations which will be
   filtered


Deadline: Completed applications for the first round of grants must be
received before December 1, 2005. (If funds are available, a second round of
grant applications may be accepted until February 28, 2006). Applications
may be mailed, faxed, or e-mailed to:

Ohio Public Library Information Network
2323 West Fifth Avenue, Suite 130
Columbus, OH 43204
FAX: 614-728-5256
E-mail: director at oplin.org

Program Guidelines: In the event that eligible requests exceed the amount of
available money, assistance will be awarded following these priorities:


   1. New filtering measures will receive first funding priority
   2. Upgrades or expansion for existing filters
   3. Maintenance or renewal on existing filters


Further determination will be based on financial need. Need is defined by
the "Total Overall Revenue" in the Statistics of Ohio Public Libraries 2004
published by the State Library of Ohio, and assistance will be awarded
beginning with the library with the lowest total overall revenue.

OPLIN does not require libraries to comply with the requirements of the
Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA), but does encourage those
libraries who do use Internet content filters to consider compliance. For
more information on CIPA compliance, please see the Ohio Library Council's
"CIPA Information Kit," available online at http://www.olc.org/CIPAIntro.asp.


Each library receiving assistance will sign a contract agreeing to use the
funds as described in their application. Contracts will commence on January
1, 2006; libraries may not purchase filters until these contracts are in
effect. Filtering solutions funded by this program must be installed and
operational by June 30, 2006. Libraries will be expected to maintain the
proposed filtering solution for at least one year. If a library removes the
filtering solution, the library will notify OPLIN of the date the filter was
removed and the reasons for its removal. After one year the library will
submit a report to OPLIN indicating when the filtering solution went into
effect. The report will also describe any problems encountered during either
the installation or implementation of the filtering solution.

Policy matters and decisions about the choice of filters or the
implementation of them rest entirely with the local library.

Additional Information: For additional information on this assistance
program, please contact Don Yarman, 614-728-5252, yarmando at oplin.org.
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