Porn at library reportedly prompts privacy screens

[Hum]

SAN FRANCISCO ?- Faced with the awkward situation of some patrons looking at pornography with free computers available at San Francisco?s main library, the city is trying to strike a delicate balance to keep the images out of others' view.

The library is installing new plastic privacy screens in the hope that the screens will keep those guests' afternoon pasttime from offending anyone else.

"You see a lot of people looking at porn and such," said regular library visitor Adrian Dumont. He considers it a hazard of using the library computers.

He's also a fan of the new plastic screens.

"It seems kinda messed up, people doing that kinda stuff in a public environment," said Dumont. "I mean, people don't get on the bus and read hustler in front of everybody."

18 of the privacy screens have been installed over the last few weeks, all at the main library branch at Civic Center Plaza.

City librarian Luis Herrera said the library committed to providing free and equal access to information and that these screens are an alternative to filtering internet access.

"We're always looking for any kind of elegant solution that strikes a balance between the right to privacy and folks that want to use the library for any other intended purpose," said Herrera.

But Dawn Hawkins, the executive director of the anti-pornography group Morality in Media believes more should be done.

Her organization has been working to get filtering systems at libraries across the country.

"I think it's definitely not enough," argued Hawkins. "Even with those protector screens, people walking directly behind somebody can see porn. I mean porn in the library? There's no place for that."

Right now, the main library is testing the screens out. If they're pleased with the results, they plan to install more.

But at least one library patron KTVU spoke with was disappointed with the new screens.

"It didn't block much at all," said library visitor Peter Ma. "I just went there and saw exactly what he's doing."

The library also plans to have a pop-up warning on computers asking patrons to be sensitive to others.

source

[Charisma Veteran]

Good grief. I'm all for porn, but really? What kind of person wants to go watch it in a public place? Libraries often have kids everywhere around too (at least in my experience), who's getting in a 'sexy' frame of mind with child voices babbling here and there? On second thought, I don't want to know.

I think they'd be well within reason to block those sorts of sites, if no others.

[Hum]

We are really degenerating.

Next they'll go have sex in the Men's room, and masturbate AT the computers.

[Calum Veteran]

Good grief. I'm all for porn, but really? What kind of person wants to go watch it in a public place? Libraries often have kids everywhere around too (at least in my experience), who's getting in a 'sexy' frame of mind with child voices babbling here and there? On second thought, I don't want to know.

I think they'd be well within reason to block those sorts of sites, if no others.

If kids were never around, I don't think the library blocking people from accessing those websites would be reasonable. After all, people being offended isn't always a reasonable reaction, and in my opinion, people being offended by porn isn't reasonable. The idea is similar to (and this is just an example off the top of my head) a restaurant (let's say McDonald's) not being able to reasonably ban someone for offending you ;) While this wouldn't be the library banning someone, it would be the library restricting services to someone for that reason, so it is similar.

If there are kids around, though, a block of some sort (e.g. the privacy screen mentioned in the article) might make sense. I'm sure there's a reason access to porn is disallowed by law until one is of a certain age.

[jnelsoninjax]

Strange, the library system here use websense to block access to sites like porn and warez, and the main library have security guards who wander around and monitor what you are doing on the computers, and will remove you from the building if caught looking at things you should not!

[KingCracker]

Good grief. I'm all for porn, but really? What kind of person wants to go watch it in a public place? Libraries often have kids everywhere around too (at least in my experience), who's getting in a 'sexy' frame of mind with child voices babbling here and there? On second thought, I don't want to know.

I think they'd be well within reason to block those sorts of sites, if no others.

No doubt if you have to look up porn at a public library you have problems.

[Hum]

Maybe poRn coffee shops would be better ... ?

[KingCracker]

I was always under the impression that they had blocks on adult sites, guess not.

[Hum]

^ There is in my area -- but hey, that's San Francisco.

[Noir Angel]

Good grief. I'm all for porn, but really? What kind of person wants to go watch it in a public place? Libraries often have kids everywhere around too (at least in my experience), who's getting in a 'sexy' frame of mind with child voices babbling here and there? On second thought, I don't want to know.

I think they'd be well within reason to block those sorts of sites, if no others.

Damn straight, as far as I'm concerned porn should be used in private not in a public place. As far as I am concerned libraries shouldn't be there for people to access porn anyway, they're mainly institutions for knowledge and learning.

[Glassed Silver]

People have not heard of smartphones/tablets? :p ;)

hurr durr...

Glassed Silver:mac

[Hum]

As far as I am concerned libraries shouldn't be there for people to access porn anyway, they're mainly institutions for knowledge and learning.

^ Anymore, they seem to be entertainment centers for bored housewives and nurseries for little kids. :s

[Growled Member]

^ There is in my area -- but hey, that's San Francisco.

Yeah, they block it here too but San Fran is a whole different ballgame.