Calling Asst Commissioner Greta Bever

I called the Library Commissioner, Mary Dempsey, today in an attempt to discuss the matter and relay my concerns with this issue. As soon as I explained why I was calling, I was transferred to Assistant Commissioner, Greta Bever.

To say the least, my conversation with Asst. Commissioner Bever was disappointing. Before she would listen to my concern, she told me that no one is "poking me in the eye" in order to force me to watch these images. (According to Bever, if someone is forcing me to see what is on their screen, then it can be considered sexual harassment - but not until then.) She also said that they are more likely to throw someone out of the library for walking through the aisles and looking at what others are watching, implying that I was purposely invading the privacy of fellow patrons. She also confirmed that as a fellow patron, I am NOT allowed to tell someone that their behavior is offensive to me. (ie, NO politely tapping of the shoulder and asking someone to turn it off.)

I explained that I was not only doing my best to avoid the images I was being bombarded with in spite of privacy screens, but that I also believe in the privacy of those around me and I believe that I should be able to visit the library without being so openly subjected to those images. She insisted that the privacy screens on the computers were sufficient.

Bever pointed out that people can read books with offensive material and suggested that the use of the Internet is no different. I agreed that Freedom of Speech is important and people should be allowed to read books without facing scrutiny. However, the general public is not forced to read the book with them. When several patrons are watching porn in a public sphere, all those around are subject to it.

I told her that this issue makes me want to avoid the library. Bever referenced a sitting area that is not around those computers and suggested that I wait in that area for my work terminal to open if I'm not comfortable being in the general computer work area.

Lastly, when I told Bever that I understand her position but disagree with it, Bever responded that this is a National issue and the decision to avoid censorship of public library Internet resources is an overlying policy by the ALA (American Library Association), which led me to believe that she was absolving herself and the CPL of responsibility.