Is internet porn okay at a public library? In point of fact, the Brooklyn Public Library installed a filter to comply with the Children’s Internet Protection Act, but it can be turned off by adults. People being people, the result is that some people use library computers to look at porn or at images that some people would define as being so. An email from the Park Slope Parents group, sent to Slopers from a Boerum Hill parent, found its way into our inbox and we think it’s interesting:
I was at my branch library (Pacific) 4th Ave, btw Pacific & Dean St. and today I was without my kids but usually they are always with me…there are 8 computers (I never use the computers as I have one at home) but they are a great resource for people who don’t and for students…so this particular branch separates the adults and kids under 12 with 4 computers each on each side of the library…
Today as I was checking out (with 2 others) we were all shocked to see 2 adult males looking at PORN on the computers….at the circulation desk the woman said that the policy does not object to PORN in the Public Library use of computers as it is against the amendment. I couldn’t believe that in such a public venue when kids are walking around that this could be happening…hope I can get some back up from my sisters and brothers of PS!
The writer of the email asks Park Slope parents to contact the library. The library, in fact, separates “adult” computers and ones for kids and teens and “the amendment” to which the writer refers is the First One. Its internet policy can be found here. The Library’s policy “affirms the right of all users to access constitutionally protected material.” Norman Oder wrote an article in the New York Press on the entire subject of the internet and filters, which can be found here.
13 responses so far ↓
1 p // May 11, 2008 at 12:33 pm
Ohh the outrage.
I so hate Park Slope moms.
2 Seth // May 11, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Explain to your children that one of the great things about America is the first amendment. We don’t censor, we don’t burn books and we don’t tell adults what they can or cannot look at in a library.
Yes, it’s disgusting and thoughtless if you ask me for people to look at such things in a public place. But that’s my opinion and they have a right to there’s.
Here’s an idea, though, that might be legal. Why not have a branch of the Brooklyn Public Library as an exclusive “children’s branch” similar to how they have as a business library.
Think of how many fun ideas could be worked into such a branch. And hopefully, if there was a legal way to do so, all the computers would be filtered…
3 ff // May 11, 2008 at 11:56 pm
Or, set up a specific branch of the library as the “porn branch”.
4 CADA // May 12, 2008 at 10:19 am
First of all, Pacific branch is technically in Park Slope, not Boerum Hill. Second, library employees are supposed to encourage patrons who view porn on the public computers to use privacy screens. Next time she sees porn, the PS mom should just ask a librarian to offer privacy screens to the offending patrons.
5 billybob // May 12, 2008 at 11:55 am
and P, they hate you.
6 theres no "e" in team....... // May 12, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Children can visit any of the 59 libraries, each of which has a seperate children’s section, so they certainly don’t need their own. Then there is the issue of what is obscene. For instance, a parent who thinks a seperate childrens library is needed because her precious snowflake may see something objectable, is obscene and shoudnt be allowed in the library. Some may see it differently. Either way, CADA figured it out - the library should of offered the porn viewers the option of using a privacy screen, and if they refused to use one, then librarians can point out that their are children in the library who can also see the porn. If they refuse, call MSNBC and tell them you got yourself a pederast that needs to be preyed upon.
7 famous mortimer // May 12, 2008 at 4:06 pm
boohoo porn boohoo, call a cop
8 Anonymous // May 12, 2008 at 7:16 pm
The guidelines say users are expected to take other users into consideration when viewing potentially objectionable material; therefore, the guys have the right to watch, but the woman who wrote the e-mail also has a right to a non-sexualized environment. BPL should provide some sort of screen to comply with its own policy. And this was, I think, the adult section, so let’s not worry about the kids. Focus on yourself and what offended you and what your rights are vs the guys viewing porn.
9 S // May 13, 2008 at 7:31 am
“First of all, Pacific branch is technically in Park Slope, not Boerum Hill.”
Really? That’s Park Slope? It’s right next to the Atlantic Terminal. I can’t believe that’s technically “Park Slope.”
10 S // May 13, 2008 at 7:41 am
OK, I just checked. It is NOT technically in Park Slope, or even sort of in Park Slope.
The Slope ends at Park Place on the north end, five blocks away.
It is indeed most definitely, most technically, in Boerum Hill, which starts at Warren Street and is bounded by 4th Ave.
11 a // May 13, 2008 at 12:53 pm
I love that the thing everyone here really cares about is the boundaries of Park Slope.
I’m serious, that warms my heart.
People who freak out about adults viewing adult websites in the library, they do not warm my heart. What is wrong with porn, again? Besides for that it is porn and we all know it is evil?
12 S // May 13, 2008 at 1:21 pm
I don’t really care. I was just surprised at the poster’s assertion and curious. And then surprised again that after he seemed so miffed that he was completely wrong.
13 No Shush Zone // May 14, 2008 at 10:19 am
Hey Brooklynites, we heard your concerns and have posted a response. Check us out at http://blog.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/
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