The Internet has transformed the way the world operates—for good and for bad. And that’s okay—we just need to figure out how to corral the negative.

The Springfield-Greene County Library District houses dozens of computers equipped with online access to the cyberworld, and the staff are interested in making certain patrons are equipped with the knowledge necessary to combat cyber-bullying, online predators, identity theft, peer-to-peer networking and other Internet-related issues such as communication limits for children and adolescents.

That’s why the librarians jumped at the chance to partner with the School of Professional Psychology at Forest Institute to host Internet Safety Night, a program to be held at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday [April 23] at the Library Center in meeting rooms A and B.

Internet Safety Night, to be emceed by Library Executive Director Annie Busch, gives parents, school officials and community organizations an opportunity to hear how they can help protect their students, children and family members from those with an intent to harm, said Tammy Flippen, the reference librarian who is coordinating the evening program.

“The Internet is a wonderful resource for children and their families,” said Flippen, “but, unfortunately, danger can lurk on web sites that seem innocent and harmless. In this day and age, we need not only to protect ourselves and our children at home and at school but also online.”

The event, presented by the respected state organization, MOREnet, will begin with a live, interactive, nationwide videoconference moderated by James E. Finch, assistant director of the FBI’s cyber division.

It will be followed by a panel discussion of local experts from varied fields, including psychology, medicine, law, law enforcement, computer forensics and security.

“This is our way to reach out to our community and give them the tools they need to learn how to avoid dangerous or life-threatening situations,” said Flippen. “We hope to give people the power to safely navigate an ever-growing online world.”

INTERNET SAFETY NIGHT PANEL OF EXPERTS

• Marriage and Family Therapist Kristina S. Brown, Forest Institute
• Chief Counsel Ron Carrier, Missouri Attorney General’s Office
• Detective Bob Curtis, Greene County Sheriff’s Department
• Computer Forensic Examiner John Henderson, Springfield Police Department
• Security Specialist Curt Gaddis, Pre-Paid Legal Services
• Psychologist Glenna Weis, Robert J. Murney Clinic

Jeanne Duffey, community relations director for the Springfield-Greene County Library District, can be reached at jeanned@thelibrary.org.