The brochure was developed following the Commission's November 10, 1998, hearing on "Kids and the Internet: the Promise and the Perils" in Arlington, Virginia. The hearing was held to address topics, such as:

• The problems arising from public access Internet terminals in libraries, including the potential for predation by pedophiles;
• The concern of parents and caretakers about exposure to inappropriate materials, such as pornography, sexually explicit matter, hate language and cult messages;
• The issue of privacy, especially when marketing efforts entice kids to provide consumer information about themselves and their families; and
• The protection of First Amendment freedom of speech.

A full hearing report is expected to be published later this year.

In addressing the promise and the perils of the Internet, Chairperson Jeanne Hurley Simon stated, "Never before have students - of all ages - been able to gain so much access to information in support of their studies. But we also recognize what some have referred to as the 'dark side of the Internet,' especially when children are using the Internet at public and school libraries."

At its meeting in Seattle, WA., December 3, 1998, the National Commission unanimously adopted the following policy proposed by Commissioner C. E. "Abe" Abramson, a former library trustee: "NCLIS feels strongly that the governing body of every school and public library, in order to meet its trustee responsibilities, should establish, formally approve, and periodically review a written acceptable use policy statement on Internet access."

"When establishing 'acceptable use policies,' said Vice Chair Martha Gould, former director, Washoe County Public Library, Reno, NV, "a library should consider how the library will handle access to functions such as chat and e-mail that could place a child in contact with pedophiles." The brochure offers this question as well as 16 other policy issues meant to assist libraries and library trustees in developing their local acceptable use policy.

The Commission also offers potential solutions that can mitigate the perils facing children using the Internet. For example,

• Libraries can implement procedures for gaining parental permission that describes what sort of access is permissible for their children;
• Separate terminals can be provided for adults and children;
• Libraries can restrict the use of chat by children to sites that have been specifically approved; and
• Libraries can provide Internet training, education, and other awareness programs to parents and teachers.

Copies of the NCLIS brochure (while supply lasts) can be requested from the NCLIS office (202) 606-9200, or can be found on NCLIS website in Adobe Acrobat Portable Document Format (PDF) at http://www.nclis.gov/info/kid_inter.pdf.

The U.S. National Commission on Libraries and Information Science is a permanent, independent agency of the Federal government charged by Public Law 91-345 to advise the President and Congress on national and international library and information policies and plans.