CIPA and LSTA FAQs
What is CIPA?
CIPA stands for the Children’s Internet Protection Act, passed by Congress and upheld by the US Supreme Court.
What sources of federal funds are affected?
The LSTA and E-Rate programs are affected.
What libraries are affected?
If your public, elementary, or secondary school library applies for a LSTA grant from the California State Library to purchase Internet service, computers, ebook readers, or iPads that access the Internet, your library must be in compliance with CIPA.
What does “compliance” mean?
Your library must provide a means to block images that constitute obscenity, child pornography and prevent minors from obtaining access to material that is harmful to them.
What about cell phones?
They are eligible for LSTA if they do not connect to the Internet.
Can the means to block images be included in the grant application?
No.
Must a library subject to CIPA filter staff terminals/computers?
Yes. All library computers, including staff computers, must have a technology protection measure installed and running that blocks obscene/child pornography images.