Officials: Watching Porn At NYC Libraries Falls Within First Amendment Rights

[noZme]

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2011/04/25/watching-porn-at-nyc-libraries-is-ok-officials-say/

Yep, porn is available on-line for adults — on publically used computers at the city’s 200 library branches. “With adults, anything that you can get on the Internet, you can legally get on a computer in the library. It’s difficult, but we err on the side of free and open access.”

There is a lively discussion in "comments". Much more at link.

 

[Kimberlyd125]

Oh my GOODNESS!!!!
Tax dollars hard at work.

GMAB

 

[Sharedspirit]

But it is not legal to expose that information to minors. What are they doing? Putting the computers in private viewing rooms?

 

[Quiche]

Why would anyone want to do that? Sheesh.

eta: Come to think of it, they probably don't and the argument is all about that they could. Notice we don't have a statement from a library patron who likes to view porn on their computers. jmo

 

[Nova]

But it is not legal to expose that information to minors. What are they doing? Putting the computers in private viewing rooms?

No, it is illegal. To me this is the only issue worth my attention. I don't care what adults watch, not even on public computers (as long as it isn't child porn).

In the article, the library claims the computer area is carefully supervised to keep children from viewing X-rated material; I don't know how that works, but I hope it's true. Children themselves are given special logons that keep them from accessing porn.

 

[Kimberlyd125]

When I think of our tax dollars going to libraries, I think of all the knowledge that is gained there for our children and adults. I never imagined PORN!!!
I think it's a disgrace.

 

[Tuffy]

Sadly, I think it's going to have to come down to letting adults look at what they want on the computers, or remove them from libraries.

Maybe it's the teacher/mother part of me but, if it's just going to lead to a bunch of back and forth, I'll just put them away! No one can use them. lol

j/k - actually I don't really care what the grown ups do, as long as the kids don't have access.

 

[Kitty Kat]

I'm not anti-porn. Actually I see nothing wrong with it as long as it's between consenting adults and I understand the article says "adult only areas" but still, I've seen videos posted to various porn sites that are men masturbating in libraries, internet cafe's..etc. I don't know how comfortable I'd be in a public library if I was there doing work and the guy/girl next to me was looking at porn. I also understand 1st amendment and all but there is a time and place for everything and in a public library isn't one of those times. If I went into work, off the clock, would looking up porn be within my 1st amendment rights? Seriously doubt it.

 

[Kitty Kat]

.O I forgot to post.. off topic but did anyone else think the pic in the link was something else then it actually was? Did they do that on purpose? Was I the only one to see this? Did the top of that pic look like a penis to anyone else, lol..

 

[Nova]

I'm not anti-porn. Actually I see nothing wrong with it as long as it's between consenting adults and I understand the article says "adult only areas" but still, I've seen videos posted to various porn sites that are men masturbating in libraries, internet cafe's..etc. I don't know how comfortable I'd be in a public library if I was there doing work and the guy/girl next to me was looking at porn. I also understand 1st amendment and all but there is a time and place for everything and in a public library isn't one of those times. If I went into work, off the clock, would looking up porn be within my 1st amendment rights? Seriously doubt it.

Your work computer belongs to your employer. I don't believe you have any rights in using it except those granted to you by your company. But that may mean that most of the info you would access via a library computer would be off limits at work, not just porn.

 

[Kitty Kat]

Your work computer belongs to your employer. I don't believe you have any rights in using it except those granted to you by your company. But that may mean that most of the info you would access via a library computer would be off limits at work, not just porn.

Yea, you're right I suppose. Didn't even really think about that, must have been the wine I drank last night, lol.

 

[stilettos]

Holy Carp...get your own porn peeps..I don't want my tax money paying for your fetish. Pfft!