[OPLINTECH] OPLIN Internet filtering assistance, Round 2

[Stephen Hedges]

The OPLIN Board is pleased to announce the availability of a second 
round of funding for assisting public libraries with the cost of 
Internet content filtering.

Since 2001, the Ohio Public Library Information Network has offered 
financial assistance to public libraries interested in implementing 
filtering technology for managing public access to the Internet. In the 
current biennium budget, the State Legislature allocated additional 
funds to OPLIN for this purpose, stipulating that these funds, "... 
shall be used to help local libraries use filters to screen out obscene 
and illegal internet materials."

The first round of funding was approved at the last OPLIN Board meeting, 
and distributed $27,604.11 to ten libraries to assist with the cost of 
installing new or improved Internet content filters. OPLIN now plans to 
distribute an additional $53,395.89 in a second round of funding for 
Internet content filtering assistance.

OPLIN will provide assistance to a library system up to $4,500 of the 
cost of implementing Internet content filtering technology. The money 
may be used for software, hardware, or support fees directly related to 
the implementation of content filtering. Application deadline for these 
funds will be December 1, and awarded funds must be spent or encumbered 
between January 1 and June 30, 2011.

Note that this is ~not~ a reimbursement program — these funds cannot be 
used to reimburse libraries for monies already spent on filters.

Assistance will be awarded following these priorities:
	1. New filtering measures
	2. Improvement or expansion of existing filters
	3. One year of maintenance or renewal of existing filters

Note that requests for maintenance or renewal of filters should cover 
only ONE year, since this program is funded annually by the Ohio 
legislature.

For complete details, see 
http://oplin.org/internet-filtering-assistance-program-2010-2011.

If you previously entered an application at 
http://oplin.org/grantapplication/, that application is still in the 
database and may be modified as needed until December 1.

-- 
Stephen Hedges, Director
Ohio Public Library Information Network (OPLIN)
2323 W. Fifth Ave., Suite 130
Columbus, OH 43204
614-728-5250  ::  AIM: hedgesst