The CPL is XXX?!: My Conversation with Alderman Fioretti

Thursday, October 9, 2008

My Conversation with Alderman Fioretti

All of my letters and phone calls have finally paid off -
Alderman Robert Fioretti called me earlier tonight. He expressed that pornography in our public libraries is indeed a problem. However, he didn't seem to think that filters were the answer. (Regular readers of the blog will remember that I've never pushed filters as the ONLY answer to this problem anyway). There was no specific resolution at the end of our call, but Alderman Fioretti promised to think about the issue and come up with a serious solution to a serious problem.

I feel another letter coming on...

2 comments:

UnknownOctober 10, 2008 at 8:04 AM
hurray amanda!! i've been watching your efforts and rooting for you, so that's very exciting to see that change is on the horizon!! :-)
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AmandaOctober 13, 2008 at 3:39 PM
Change may be on the horizon, but I'm sure it's still far off. I'm still in it for the long haul.

Thanks for the support! :)
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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".

The CPL is XXX?!

Thursday, October 9, 2008

My Conversation with Alderman Fioretti

2 comments:

What is this all about?

The WGN Interview

Crime and Libraries...

Blog Archive

Here's the story...

Some Public Libraries That Do Not Protect or Promote Porn Use and Their Official Policies

A Library That Protects Rampant Porn Use...

Followers

The CPL is XXX?!

Thursday, October 9, 2008

My Conversation with Alderman Fioretti

2 comments:

What is this all about?

The WGN Interview

Crime and Libraries...

Blog Archive

Here's the story...

Some Public Libraries That Do Not Protect or Promote Porn Use and Their Official Policies

A Library That Protects Rampant Porn Use...

Subscribe:

Followers