Should people be allowed to view pornogrphy on local city library computers?

1. 83

   K9keystrokesposted 13 years ago

   Should people be allowed to view pornogrphy on local city library computers?
   
   We went to our local city library this past weekend. The place was bustling with old people, young people, and children. As we walked over to the non-fiction rows, we passed by the bank of library computers where several people were clicking away. As we got to the row we intended to look down, out of the corner of my eye I caught sight of an obvious XXX sex-scene on one of the PC screens. All "body parts" in plain sight even with the small blinders on each side of the screen, I could full-well see the images. My concern is the kids. For this reason, should porn be allowed in Libraries?

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2. 79

   Wayne Brownposted 13 years ago

   I don't think so. This is not the type of environment in which this sort of thing should be viewed.  I am all for you being able to look at anything you want in the privacy of your home but the library is a public place and must come under the local laws regarding lewdness and lewd behavior.  This is a family environment in which there may be small children. It is also a mixed environment in which the values and morals of other people can easily be offended.  It absolutely makes no sense for pornography to be displayed in any public place including the local library. WB

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3. 60

   pinetreehuggerposted 13 years ago

   No our tax money doesn't need to be spent that way, and there are too many other things that truly need our tax money in today's economy.

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4. 59

   QudsiaP1posted 13 years ago

   Of course not.
   
   Porn is just as bad as drugs and today when we have the technology to block certain websites than everyone should avail them.

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5. 64

   brentwilliams2posted 13 years ago

   Many libraries also carried Playboy back in the day (maybe some still do), but I really don't see why we would be paying for that.  I guess I see Internet access as something that will enrich peoples' minds when they don't have access to it elsewhere.  They say men have two heads, but library resources should really only be for one of them.

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6. 61

   bookblogposted 13 years ago

   This really surprised me and my view is that is is definitely not appropriate in a local library. 
   
   I would be interested to know the reaction of library staff and if there is a policy already in place regarding such matters. You can be sure there would be some sort of policy concerning  minors but what about the general 'of age' public?
   
   The question arises , Who is going to monitor such behavior?  Is it just a matters of setting the firewall with higher security ? This can be annoying when innocent sites are blocked.
   
   As a parent and ratepayer I would be very upset if my child was exposed to pornography while visiting the local library.

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7. 86

   SpiderBytesposted 13 years ago

   I would not really have a problem with people having access to anything, porn included, but some things should be limited to an "adult only" area that kids would not have access to and that adults can be warned may expose them to objectionable material. If it cannot be totally isolated, then, though I am generally against any sort of censorship, I would have to make an exception here and prohibit it.

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8. 56

   ChikkenPotPieposted 13 years ago

   No.  There are little eyeballs about in the library.  Why on earth would you want to allow that?

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9. 65

   medicfrogsposted 13 years ago

   That's interesting. Most public libraries have web content filters on their computers to avoid stuff like that. Unfortunately there are many many many ways around those kinds of filters and kids these days are getting much more tech savvy. I would notify the library about the incident. Pornography is not permitted in a public library setting, due to the fact that people of all ages roam libraries freely.

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10. 61

    Laura.Leeposted 13 years ago

    I definitely believe that no, pornography should not be allowed in public libraries. When I was in my young teen years, my two best friends and I would hang out at the library and witness the same thing. Most times it would be the same men/women that came day after day to watch these things. Kids can and WILL see it eventually if they go to the library often, and seeing it in such a public place would probably help convince a younger child it is "okay".
    
    Also, in a small town like mine, there are only a few computers and normally several people waiting to use them. Library computers should be put to better use, especially if other people need them.

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11. 62

    Donegal Bluesposted 13 years ago

    Hell no! Libraries are public places and supposed to be a family friendly environment!  We should protect the innocence of chidren in every way we can.

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12. 60

    Jennifer Theoriesposted 13 years ago

    It is refreshing to see that everyone is unified on this issue. Of course porn should NOT be allowed in public libraries. Images can be abusive and sexually explicit material is not something for public display. I understand the issue with protecting kids but I have to say I am concerned about my own protection as well. I will say that most porn is directed at enticing men. This has nothing to do with men being more interested in sex than women but has everything to do with women being more willing to perform sexually for men and their money. Women have become abusive with their sexuality and it is promoted in the most unlikely places these days. Most of us have desensitized to it but the sexual displays of women is showing up everywhere and I don't like it.
    Even when porn shows men it isn't usually with the same focus as the women and it isn't highlighting the sexuality of the male body.
    But porn in general is not something that should be available in any public place.
    Playboy is pornography yet they have a number of Facebook pages. Why? Facebook states that they don't allow pornography but they aren't removing it. Our culture has become way too tolerant of public displays of porn and of sexualized images of women.
    
    Pornography is a drug and at this time in our culture it is directed at hooking men. However the addiction here for women is usually in the vanity as it is women that are performing in most of these settings. They don't just do it for the money. Basically, pornography is an illness on both sides and much of the beauty of human sexuality is lost in the production. Keep it out of public places not just for the kids but for the mental health of all of us.

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13. 60

    catfishcarpenterposted 13 years ago

    I went to the public library to use the internet one morning. Before I sat down to use the computer, I saw that someone had set all the computers to porn-sites. It reminded me of standing on a street corner in Las Vegas, and watching the morning-wind drag sex-trade newspapers as far as the eye could see.
    Repression breeds obsession.
    Respect for the sanctity of human life is a lifestyle and a belief system. One day we may reach a place in our evolution where we honor the truth of who we are, and not deny it out of shame and ignorance. Until then, we walk a fine line between free-speech and the inquisition.
    Let's protect our children.

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14. 60

    Shahid Bukhariposted 13 years ago

    Reckon its OK ... for the unacquainted, to Know the Physical Facts of life ... on the box.
    
    But the research is fine, as long as they do not get into Specialist areas, and start paying for viewings ...
    
    The question, of sex is a question, about a basic human instinct ... and as much as I would like to say something that stops the gluttons from eating ... I cannot say much about this human curiosity, of knowing.
    
    The Via Media, in my opinion, is to have Controlled Viewing ... while saying ... to hell with the jollies ... I'll be OK when it comes to the Real thing.

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15. 60

    larryprice5372posted 12 years ago

    No!  The public Library is not the place for pornography.  I personally don't care if someone views it privately.  As adults I beleive we can do as we please.
    
    The priviledge to use a computer in a public setting should be strictly limited for that type of content.  As you said, there are family with women and children present, not to mention persons who would be offended for various reasons.
    
    A person caught viewing pornography on such a computer should be restricted by the Librarians from any further use of computers.  In fact, they should take the persons Library priviledge for life!
    
    Make no mistake, these people know what they are doing is wrong, and in most cases are only looking to offend others.

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