# What's up with the library filter system?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-library-filter-system/278347
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [December 6, 2004, 10:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-library-filter-system/278347 "2004-12-06T10:38:19Z")
**Posts on this page:** 5
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Iceland\_Blue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iceland_Blue)
#### Post date: [December 6, 2004, 10:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-library-filter-system/278347/1 "2004-12-06T10:38:19Z")
This may be MPSIMS but I can’t put it in there. Indeed,that’s the whole problem. The library filter is scanning for stuff it doesn’t like and blocks certain pages.However it seems to be completely random what it chooses. Some days I can see virtually all threads,the next a whole forum is off limits. Some threads I can see page 1 and 3 but not 2 or I can see the threads but not reply to them.
Today it let me see the ‘Bible on paedophilia’ thread fine but decided the thread about breaking rent into 30 days instead of 31 was not suitable.
This is starting to hurt my brain and my nerve cells aren’t happy… 🙂
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### Author:  [@spingears](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spingears)
#### Post date: [December 6, 2004, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-library-filter-system/278347/2 "2004-12-06T12:51:12Z")
> [@Iceland\_Blue](#):
>
> This may be MPSIMS but I can’t put it in there. Indeed,that’s the whole problem. The library filter is scanning for stuff it doesn’t like and blocks certain pages.However it seems to be completely random what it chooses. Some days I can see virtually all threads,the next a whole forum is off limits. Some threads I can see page 1 and 3 but not 2 or I can see the threads but not reply to them.
> Today it let me see the ‘Bible on paedophilia’ thread fine but decided the thread about breaking rent into 30 days instead of 31 was not suitable.
> This is starting to hurt my brain and my nerve cells aren’t happy… 🙂
**What or Where is said “library filter system”?**
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### Author:  [@SavageNarce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SavageNarce)
#### Post date: [December 6, 2004, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-library-filter-system/278347/3 "2004-12-06T13:19:55Z")
It sounds like \*\*Iceland Blue \*\* is trying to access the SDMB from a public library, where they try to limit access to avoid pornographic or otherwise offensive material. I’m not sure what “filter” software they use, but it might be something like “Net Nanny”.
Speak to the librarians. They may not be aware that their software is blocking access to parts of this valuable resource. They probably have a “block list” and an “OK list”, and listing the Straight Dope as “OK” might solve the problem.
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### Author:  [@Uncommon\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncommon_Sense)
#### Post date: [December 6, 2004, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-library-filter-system/278347/4 "2004-12-06T13:40:49Z")
FWIW, I was in a library recently that seemed to block message boards in whole.
I couldn’t even access the Straightdope home page.
Maybe it’s your libraries policy to block such time wasting activity. 😃
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### Author:  [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)
#### Post date: [December 6, 2004, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-library-filter-system/278347/5 "2004-12-06T22:32:21Z")
Go to [www.peacefire.org](http://www.peacefire.org/) and download their program that circumvents these filter programs. It fits on a floppy disk. Carry that floppy with you, for times when you have to use such a ‘filtered’ machine.