In Dallas, Porn is a regular sight

I found this article while reading the ALA Libraries Direct email. It appears that some patrons are finding that viewing hard-core porn is as easy as getting a library card. A survey was compiled during a 45 minute period to see how many pornographic sites were accessed. It showed more than 5.200 web pages depicting nudity, sex, and other sexual acts. And for the patrons who walked past the open computer screens, well, some of them are not happy.

Dallas City Officials have agreed to launch an investigation into this matter. Mayor Tom Leppert was quoted stating, "We want people to come to our libraries and use them for traditional reasons. Viewing this material--it's clearly not what the computers in the library are there for."

I wonder what definition of "traditional" he is referring to? Traditional meaning "informational needs" regardless of what it is? Accessing the Internet to find information related to his specific needs?

I understand the uproar over open viewing of pornography. I certainly would not want my nine year-old niece sitting next to someone watching sex videos. The problem is, pornography is not illegal and while I might not agree with the subject matter being viewed, I can not have that person arrested for it. They have a right to come to the library and fullfill their informational needs.

I think a solution rests in redesigning the computer lab. Recessed screens for privacy would help this matter greatly. This way individuals can view those type websites without patrons strolling past knowing what is on the screen. I think even a youth computer lab would be beneficial as well. So if parents in the community really push for filtering and blocking software, it can be arranged on those computers available to youth under the age of eighteen. This might be a fair compromise.

So far the representative from the library stated "We don't think filtering is the answer because of the reasons the American Library Association has outlined."

Dallas, like other cities across the nation, are struggling with how to address Internet access. Taxpayers in some cities have launched huge campaigns to stop funding if filters and blocking software are not added to protect the innocent. They feel strongly that tax dollars should not be spent to allow people to view pornography on library computers. This is indeed an interesting time to be studying Intellectual Freedom. While the library must stand up for the Library Bill of Rights and equal access to everyone, it must also remain operating which can become difficult when the funding is not made available to them over conflicts and moral standings.