Family Friendly Libraries Celebrates National Library Week by Announcing First Award Winners

Contrast this with the politically correct, pro-homosexual American Library Association, which, as part of its liberal agenda, attempts to block web filters and other attempts to limit adults — some of them predatory — from using public library computers to access pornography.– Peter LaBarbera

Family Friendly Libraries News Release

www.fflibraries.org                                                     

April 18, 2007

(770) 932-9994; Information@fflibraries.org

Family Friendly Libraries, a national grassroots organization dedicated to increasing awareness of the need to protect children from harmful materials in public libraries, has granted two Awards of Recognition to libraries which meet the organizations Standards for Public Libraries.

“We are thrilled with the public response to our nomination process. We have received nominations from all across the country in just the four weeks since we announced the awards process,” said Family Friendly Libraries President, Denise Varenhorst. “To have five award winners at the outset is just fantastic,” she added.  

The two libraries that have earned this award are the Gwinnett County Public Library in suburban Atlanta, Georgia, and the Manhattan Public Library in eastern Kansas. “Both of these libraries meet all seven of our Standards for Public Libraries and deserve to be commended,” Varenhorst said. These standards include the utilization of Internet filters in compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act, allowing parents to limit their minor child’s borrowing privileges, and providing a separate area for materials parents may wish to pre-screen for their children.

The former Mayor of Manhattan, Kansas, Mike Taussig, and Gwinnett County Commissioner, Mike Beaudreau, will present the awards to their respective library boards.

In addition to the two Awards of Recognition, Family Friendly Libraries is bestowing three Gold Star Awards for the month of April. Gold Star Awards are given to individuals or libraries which demonstrate exemplary dedication to local control and protecting children in libraries

Gold Star Award winners for April include Maggie Brooks, the Monroe County Executive who threatened to halt library funding if the library would not stop the public viewing of pornography, the Minneapolis Central Library staff, whose report of a patron viewing child pornography led to federal charges, and the Mount Clemens Public Library, which temporarily suspended Internet service after obscene images were found displayed on computer screens in public view.

In addition to receiving award certificates and letters of commendation, award winners are listed on the Family Friendly Libraries website www.fflibraries.org. Citizens and library leaders are invited to nominate libraries in their communities for Family Friendly Libraries awards via the Family Friendly Libraries website at www.fflibraries.org