TITLE
HOLD a public hearing and consider a resolution approving an Internet Safety Policy for the Library Services Division’s public access computers.
SUMMARY
DATE: June 18, 2019
TO: Ronald L. Olson, City Manager
FROM: Leslie Hinkle, Executive Director of Community Development
SUBJECT: Internet Safety Policy Requirement for Federal Funding of Copper Mountain Branch Library’s Network Connection
BACKGROUND AND FINDINGS:
With assistance from the Information Technology Department, the Library Services Division applied for funding from the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) Universal Service Program for Schools and Libraries, commonly known as the “E-rate” program in early 2019. The E-rate program helps public schools and libraries provide high-speed internet service to their users. The amount of funding each entity is eligible to receive is based on the percentage of students in the school district that are eligible for the free or reduced-price lunch program. For Killeen Independent School District and Killeen's public libraries, the amount is set at 80%. The E-rate program is administered by the FCC and requires a multi-step application process. Killeen applied for funding to the CenturyLink circuit that connects the Copper Mountain Branch Library to the City’s network.
This funding gives the Copper Mountain Branch Library a discount of 80% on the current network curcuit fees, estimated to be $12,844. The cost to the City with this discount would be reduced to $2,569 annually. A requirement for a public hearing related to approving an internet safety policy for minors is required from the program. This policy simply verifies that the City IT filters the public internet access and that library staff monitor the minor computer users to help them avoid websites that are obscene, contain sexual acts or child pornography, or are otherwise harmful to minors.
THE ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED:
The City Council may choose to approve or disapprove t...
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