LIVERMORE FALLS — A meeting will be held to discuss the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) and how it affects the library at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, at the Livermore Public Library.

CIPA is a law that place restrictions on the use of certain funding available through the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA), Title III of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, and on federal E-rated discounts for Internet services in public libraries and schools.

CIPA requires that the library have established Internet safety policies and technology that block or filter visual depictions from being accessed through the Internet in the library.

The Children’s Internet Protection Act and the Neighborhood Children’s Internet Protection Act (N-CIPA) passed Congress in December of 2000. Both were part of a large federal appropriations measure (PL 106-554).

Although CIPA compliance impacts specific use of funds from three federal programs (E-rate, ESEA Title III [TLCF], and LSTA), compliance under the E-Rate program, which provides direct discounts on Internet access, is more complex than LSTA.

The library is revising its current Internet policy to be compliant with CIPA. The public is invited to attend.

Soon the library will be introducing the first online catalogue, which will allow patrons to search and reserve books from home. The transition to a web-based catalog will happen within the next few weeks. Library hours are 1 to 7 p.m. Tuesday and 1 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday. Visit www.livermore.lib.me.us or call 897-7173 for more information.