Caution: DOPA and Other Roadblocks

Hopefully, this blog has inspired some of you to consider the possibilities of using a blog in your school library. Yay! But before going too far, make sure consider how the Deleting Online Predators Act (DOPA) may directly or indirectly affect your school (district) and the policies for access to the internet.

Although the House of Representatives has passed the bill (H.R. 5319), the Senate has not yet voted on the bill. The ALA anticipates that as the bill is written today, DOPA would require libraries to block access to the following: "commercial Web sites that let users create Web pages or profiles or offer communication with other users via forums, chat rooms, e-mail or instant messaging." ALA is tracking this issue; for the latest status on the bill in the Senate, click here.

For more background, as well as action items such as a sample letter to the editor, YALSA’s DOPA Information Packet is handy as well.

Even though DOPA hasn’t been enacted, some schools already apply filters that block websites that enable free e-mail or personal Web pages. There may be blocks or filters that can be removed on a site-by-site basis. Know the applicable policies before investing your time in a blog that your students and/or readers can’t access!