The CPL is XXX?!: My Letter to Alderman Fioretti

Monday, October 6, 2008

My Letter to Alderman Fioretti

October 6, 2008

Robert W. Fioretti

Chicago Alderman – 2^nd Ward

429 S. Dearborn Street

Chicago, IL 60605

Dear Alderman Fioretti:

I am a proud resident of our beloved city, Chicago. However, I recently discovered an embarrassing blemish about our city – this blemish is the open and rampant use of Internet pornography in Chicago Public Libraries. My husband and I became aware of this issue at the Harold Washington branch last Saturday, September 27^th. In addition to the initial shock of public obscenity, I was told by the librarian on staff that this is a "Right" and that I'm not allowed to politely tell the patrons using pornography that I'm offended because it "might offend them".

I have tried to contact your office twice last week regarding this issue. Also, I've started the blog www.obscenerights.blogspot.com. My goal is to bring awareness to this issue of forced pornographic obscenity in our Chicago Public Libraries and to enact change as well.

The CPL absolves itself of responsibility for this issue by stating that it’s only following the lead of the American Library Association (ALA), which cites First Amendment rights. Although the ALA does recommend that all public libraries maintain open, unfettered access to the Internet, each city is able to make policies and regulations for its own citizens. New York City and Boston, among many other cities, already ban pornography use on Public Library computers.

Chicago needs to follow the lead of these cities and ban pornography use in our Public Libraries as well. There are many ways to do this without infringing on speech actually protected by the First Amendment. (Obscenity is not protected by the First Amendment.) New York City uses an Internet filter system and a library near Boston does not use filters at all, but instead, utilizes a stated public policy enforced by temporarily revoking library privileges of repeat offenders.

I believe it's possible to have a Public Library that supports Intellectual Freedom while being a safe and non-harassing environment in which to work and live.

I am seeking legislation and awareness. I am seeking change.

What is your stance on this issue? What will you do to enact change? What will you do to help make our Public Library a safer, non-threatening environment?

I look forward to your response,

Amanda Bratschie

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What is this all about?

The American Library Association has directed America's Public Libraries to allow open, unfettered access to the Internet, including pornography. (With the exception of child pornography, which remains illegal.)

However, this means that people who are not choosing to view this material may and probably will be exposed to it, including children.

These two clear sides create a national issue with each city and state being able to choose how they would like to handle it. Several cities, including Boston, Minneapolis and even New York City either already ban pornography in their public libraries or have taken steps towards protecting those that don't want to see it. However, the Chicago Public Library (CPL) continues to protect the open and rampant use of Internet pornography.

Here's the story...

I went to the Harold Washington branch of the Chicago Public Library (CPL) on Saturday, 9/27, to help some friends of mine learn computer skills.

While near the computers, I noticed a library patron openly viewing porn. I politely tapped him on the shoulder and said, "should you be watching that here?" He apologized and quickly walked out of the library, embarrassed.

I assumed it was an isolated incident. Until I walked over to greet another friend. Then I noticed several more patrons viewing porn. Alarmed, I asked the librarian on duty if there was a list of guidelines posted for the use of the library Internet. There wasn't. But there was a general list of rules. Among those was no use of your cell phone as it may disturb other patrons. There was also a rule against sexual harassment, but no rule explicitly stating that the use of porn was not allowed.

I asked the librarian about it. She said it was their "right" to use porn on the library Internet and computer. It is their right to do this with the facilities paid for by taxpayer dollars.

I asked her if they have to turn it off if I tell them that I find it offensive. She told me that I could not tap them on the shoulder and tell them it's offensive because "it might offend them".

Although privacy screens were installed, we could see EVERYTHING (I almost didn't believe that privacy screens were installed because we could see everything so clearly). The images were difficult to ignore and very clearly portraying sex acts on several workstation screens, making it impossible to look away - it was everywhere.

I stayed to help (though completely disgusted). While I was walking from one computer work station to another, a patron that was using pornography turned to look at me and literally looked me up and down. And I felt unsafe. In the public library, with my husband and two of our male friends, I felt unsafe. And voiceless.

As we were leaving, we spoke with the guards and were told that their use of these computers to view pornography is covered by their First Amendment rights and that privacy screens are installed on the monitors for just that reason. I was given contact information for the Commissioner of the Library and at the same time informed that she is also involved with "several law firms".