terminals. 

A third set of techniques that public libraries have used to enforce their Internet

use policies takes the opposite tack from the privacy screens/recessed monitors approach

by placing all of the library's public Internet terminals in prominent and visible locations,

such as near the library's reference desk.  This approach allows librarians to enforce their

library's Internet use policy by observing what patrons are viewing and employing the

tap on the shoulder policy.  Under this approach, when patrons are viewing materials that

are inconsistent with the library's policies, a library staff member approaches them and

asks them to view something else, or may ask them to end their Internet session.  A

patron who does not comply with these requests, or who repeatedly views materials not

permitted under the library's Internet use policy, may have his or her Internet or library

privileges suspended or revoked.  But many librarians are uncomfortable with

approaching patrons who are viewing sexually explicit images, finding confrontation

unpleasant.  Hence some libraries are reluctant to apply the tap on the shoulder policy.  

The fourth category of methods that public libraries employ to enforce their

Internet use policies, and the one that gives rise to this case, is the use of Internet filtering

software.  According to the June 2000 

Survey of Internet Access Management in Public

Libraries

, approximately 7% of libraries with public Internet access had mandated the use

of blocking programs by adult patrons.  Some public libraries provide patrons with the

option of using a blocking program, allowing patrons to decide whether to engage the

program when they or their children access the Internet.  Other public libraries require

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