People of all ages — from school kids to senior citizens — are going to public libraries to use the Internet. But along with vast sources of valuable information, the Web also provides access to X-rated material regarded as unsuitable for youngsters. A new federal law seeks to limit minors' access to pornography on the Internet by requiring federally subsidized libraries to install software filters to block Web sites with objectionable material. But the American Library Association and the American Civil Liberties Union say the law violates freedom of speech. Supporters and opponents of the law disagree about whether filters work in blocking pornography. They also disagree about whether using library computers to view X-rated sites is widespread or rare.

Kenneth Jost is Supreme Court editor, CQ Press; associate editor, CQ Researcher; and author of The Supreme Court Yearbook since the 1992-1993 edition.