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Appendix F: Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) Compliance

Internet Certification and Signature – IMLS establishes guidelines to ensure that the California State Library’s implementation of the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) complies with the 2003 decision of the US Supreme Court. The California State Library is required by 20 U.S.C. Section 9134(b)(7) to provide assurance that it will comply with 20 U.S.C. Section 9134(f), which sets out standards relating to Internet Safety for public libraries and public elementary school and secondary school libraries.

Under CIPA, California State Library must assure the Federal Government that no funds will be made available for public libraries and public elementary and secondary school libraries to purchase computers to access the Internet or pay for the direct costs of accessing the Internet unless the libraries have certified that they have Internet safety policies and technology protection measures, e.g., software filtering technology, in place. California State Library must collect certifications from libraries subject to CIPA that apply to the States for LSTA funding. Public libraries and public elementary and secondary school libraries must be in compliance with CIPA to obtain IMLS State Program funding which will be used to purchase computers used to access the Internet or to pay for direct costs associated with accessing the Internet.

The authorized representative applying for LSTA funding, must certify that the library is one of the following:

• An individual applicant that is CIPA compliant: The applicant library, as a public library, a public elementary school library or a public secondary school library, has complied with the requirements of Section 9134(f)(1) of the LSTA.
• Representing a group of applicants. Those applicants that are subject to CIPA requirements have certified they are CIPA compliant
  • All public libraries, public elementary school libraries, and public secondary school libraries, participating in the application have complied with the requirements of Section 9134(f)(1) of the LSTA. The library submitting this application has collected Internet Safety Certifications from all other applicants who are subject to CIPA requirements. The library will keep these certifications on file with other application materials, and if awarded funds, with other project records.
• Not Subject to CIPA Requirements: CIPA requirements do not apply because no LSTA funds made available under this grant program will be used to purchase computers that can access the Internet or to pay for direct costs associated with accessing the Internet.

Once an option has been selected, the authorized representative must sign the application form, certifying the organization’s CIPA status and authorization for this project.