The CPL is XXX?!: My email to the American Library Association (ALA) Director, Judith Krug

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

My email to the American Library Association (ALA) Director, Judith Krug

Director Judith Krug -

I am writing to you to express my concerns with the amount of rampant pornography use in my local library, the Harold Washington branch of the Chicago Public Library. I spoke with Assistant Library Commissioner for the Chicago Public Library, Greta Bever, who directed me to the American Library Association (ALA) as the governing body.

It is my understanding that this issue falls under the category of Intellectual Freedom. Please forward my concerns to the appropriate person if this is not you.

The First Amendment is paramount and I strongly believe that we need to protect it in order to preserve our other Freedoms, granted as Americans. However, I also believe that watching pornographic images in a public space is NOT what was intended by this Amendment. I believe that this open viewing and display of pornography is Obscenity, which the Supreme Court has ruled as not protected by the First Amendment.

I realize that privacy screens are installed on monitors to protect privacy, but they do not do an adequate job of censoring the content of that screen, thus subjecting all nearby patrons to the graphic images from that screen.

In the Library Bill of Rights, the first point states:

I. Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.

I have underlined the phrase "of all people of the community the library serves" because the open acceptance and protection of those choosing to view pornography in public is alienating people that do not want to be exposed to those pornographic images.

I am not suggesting Internet filters as a necessary solution because I realize that they can accidentally block speech that truly is protected by the First Amendment. However, I do hope that you would reconsider the official stance with Public Libraries across this great Nation of ours. Several libraries have come up with workable solutions to prevent open use of Internet pornography while still maintaining a safe and non-discriminatory environment for everyone to work and live in. Any support you could provide in this matter is greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your time and considerations.

Sincerely,

Amanda Bratshie

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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".