The Ottawa Public Library Board voted Wednesday night to put Internet filters on all its public computers, after rejecting the idea just two weeks ago.

Until now, the library has been filtering only children's computers.

Now, use of an unfiltered computer will be tied to a person's library card.

Anyone over 16 years old will be able to turn the filtering off when booking a library computer.

All those 16 and younger will need parental permission to get unfiltered Internet access.

The board was ordered to take another look at the issue by city council, a move supported by councillor and board chair Rick Chiarelli.

"It should be a really proud moment for the board. This is real progress," said Chiarelli after the vote to give filtering the go-ahead.

He says the push for putting Internet filters on all the library's public computers has always been about protecting children.

Critics argue that, even though filters can block pornography, hate and other controversial Web sites, they can also block legitimate sites.

That's why for some the debate was about intellectual freedom as much as it was about shielding kids from porn.

Board member Alayne McGregor voted for more filters, but with some trepidation.

"I'm worried that this could be the beginning of the idea that the library board has to interfere with what is seen by patrons, and it's very difficult to define what's appropriate," said McGregor.

Barbara Clubb, the city librarian, felt the library's original policy was working well, but that board members couldn't ignore public pressure.

"They listened to the community and this is their response. From that perspective that's a really good reason to make a change," said Clubb.

The new policy will be put into place over the next two months.