Idaho Commission for Libraries

NCIPA & CIPA Compliance

E-rate Central CIPA Compliance Checklist

Children's Internet Protection Act - SLD

Children's Internet Protection Act, CIPA: A Brief FAQ

Internet Safety Policy

All libraries must follow NCIPA (the Neighborhood Children’s Internet Protection Act) guidelines. These guidelines specifically require that all libraries have an Internet Safety Policy that has been reviewed in a public meeting. You can use your current Internet safety policy if it includes the following points. The policy is your library's opportunity to define computer use policies and discuss them with your community.

An Internet Safety Policy must address:

1. Access by minors to inappropriate matter on the Internet and the Web;
2. The safety and security of minors when using electronic mail, chat rooms, and other forms of direct electronic communications;
3. Unauthorized access, including so-called "hacking," and other unlawful activities by minors online;
4. Unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal identification information regarding minors; and
5. Measures designed to restrict minors' access to materials harmful to minors.

This policy must be adopted after holding at least one public hearing or meeting. It is suggested that your board take action on this and that it not be only a procedure/administrative rule. In regards to the public meeting, the law states that libraries need to “provide reasonable public notice and hold at least one public hearing or meeting to address the proposed Internet safety policy."

The hearing/meeting can be part of an open regular board meeting which allows for public comment. Completely document the meeting by keeping the public notice and the minutes which reflect the discussion and action taken by the board.

Taken from the E-rate Overview.