Because the Westchester Public Library receives federal funding for public Internet access, federal law know as the 'Children's Internet Protection Act' found in U.S.C. Title XVII Sec. 1701 et. seq. requires the library to install filtering software on the  Library's Internet terminals for protecting against access through the library's Internet terminals to visual depictions that are I. Obscene, II. Child Pornography, or III. Harmful to Minors.

The blocking software, or filtering software is inherently imprecise and flawed, it will inevitably block access to a vast variety of constitutionally protected material available on the Internet. Patrons are warned that because of technological limitations of filtering software and constantly evolving Internet technology, filters are incapable of totally protecting against access to Internet material that is obscene, child pornography, or harmful to minors.

The library will disable a filter upon request by an adult 18 years of age or older, and enable access for bona fide research or other lawful purposes.

Patrons using filtered terminals who feel that a filtered website has been erroneously blocked by the filtering are encouraged to put the information on a comment card, so that the System Administrator can review the operation of the filter. If an adult patron has a need to view that blocked website before the System Administrator can review the operation of the filter and make any necessary changes, the patron is encouraged to use an unfiltered terminal for the specific purpose of reaching the blocked website.

The library highly recommends that as part of its Internet Safety Policy that parents read Keeping Kids Safer on the Internet from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.