(CINCINNATI, OH) -- Today's libraries are on the brink of becoming as dangerous for children as the neighborhood porn store, according to the National Coalition for the Protection of Children & Families.

Why? Because of unrestricted Internet access on computers in public libraries. Local libraries across the nation give students access to the more than 5,000 new Web sites that are added to the Web universe each day. One in ten of the new sites is pornographic in nature. Even innocent searches through popular search engines such as Yahoo and Lycos can turn up pornography.

One way to protect children from exposure to harmful pornography is the use of filtering software or a filtered Internet Service Provider to block access to inappropriate sites. However, the American Library Association, in its ``Library Bill of Rights,'' says that, ``a person's right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.'' The organization considers Internet filtering unconstitutional and sees no problem with using tax-payer dollars to give students access to hard- core pornography via the Web.

The effort to protect America's young library users from the influences of Internet pornography just got stronger. The National Coalition for the Protection of Children and Families has forged a new partnership with Filtering Facts.

Portland-based Filtering Facts (www.filteringfacts.org ) is a non-profit organization founded by David Burt that serves as a clearinghouse of information for concerned parents and citizens fighting for filtered Internet access in public libraries. However, the company recently ceased operations due to a lack of funding. But thanks to the partnership with the National Coalition for the Protection of Children & Families, Filtering Facts will continue to provide concerned citizens with the tools and information to fight libraries in their own communities.

``The Internet is the easiest way for kids to access pornography, and David Burt, through Filtering Facts, is trying to make sure the library does not become the newest neighborhood porn store,'' said Jack Samad, director of Internet safety solutions for the National Coalition for the Protection of Children & Families. ``We realized we had to do anything we could to bring Filtering Facts back and support the tremendous work they do to protect children and create healthy learning environments.''

The National Coalition for the Protection of Children and Families (www.nationalcoalition.org ) is a non-profit organization first incorporated in 1983 as the National Coalition Against Pornography (N-CAP). It is an alliance of representatives from businesses, foundations, citizens action groups, religious denominations, and faith groups focused on reducing sexual violence and exploitation linked to pornography.