New program puts parents in charge BY DENNIS WILKEN TGI Staff Writer Hawai`i’s public libraries are helping parents who want to keep their children on the Internet’s straight and narrow path, avoiding the thickets of pornography sites that clutter today’s
New program puts parents in charge
BY DENNIS WILKEN
TGI Staff Writer
Hawai`i’s public libraries are
helping parents who want to keep their children on the Internet’s straight and
narrow path, avoiding the thickets of pornography sites that clutter today’s
computer world.
Parents worried about their children’s choices can limit
their access at least at the library by singing up for the new PACE
service.
PACE (Parents Authorize Cyberspace Entry) allows parents to
instruct library staff to place an electronic “block” on their child’s library
card. The block will deny the child access via library computers unless
assisted by a Hawai’i State Public Library System staff member.
Library
personnel have worked with parents “to provide their children with age-level
appropriate materials in print and non-print formats. We have incorporated the
Internet into our library services because it is so effective in connecting
people with information,” said state librarian Virginia Lowell.
But the
Internet “does have its dark side. That’s why librarians select and monitor
Internet sites,” she said.
Lowell pointed out that patrons who ask a
librarian for help finding information are much less likely to stumble upon
pornography or hate-group sites, for instance, “than if they are surfing the
Internet.”
Parents or guardians may register their minor children or the
PACE program by signing the appropriate section of the library card application
form.
Forms are available at all state public libraries. Parents or
guardians don’t need to have their own library card to limit their offspring’s
access. However, they must show proof of their relationship to the
child.
Once the child signs up to use the Internet, their library card is
scanned. A message on the screen will show if their card is blocked.
A
librarian at the Lihu`e branch said many children come in to use the computer
there after school.
Since the program was only instituted last Monday, it’s
too early to tell whether parents on Kaua`i will take up the library’s offer to
supervise their children’s’ Internet usage, officials said.
Staff
writer Dennis Wilken can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) and
dwilken@pulitzer.net
Staff Photo by Dennis Fujimoto
LIHU`E
LIBRARY’S children librarian Lisa Kiuchi works with Kristine Guzman and Keana
Salvi-Souza on Internet e-mail.
