The CPL is XXX?!: My response to Mary A. Dempsey

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

My response to Mary A. Dempsey

November 24, 2008

Mary A. Dempsey
Commissioner
Chicago Public Library
400 S. State St
Chicago, IL 60605

Dear Commissioner Dempsey:

Thank you for your response to my recent inquiries. I appreciate you taking the time to address the concerns that have been brought to your attention. This issue of rampant pornography use in our public library is indeed a complicated issue and a very serious one at that.

I appreciate the viewpoints that you’ve shared. However, I maintain my stance that it is important to protect the rights of children and those that do not want to be exposed to these images.

As it stands, patrons that choose to use pornography at my public library are able to do so openly. The privacy screens that are installed on the monitors are not effective in preventing other library patrons from seeing, without effort or consent, the pornography being displayed.

Although the Internet itself is not regulated, illegal activities are most certainly regulated. Child pornography is illegal, regardless of the fact that it can be accessed by means of the Internet. Because the Chicago Public Library claims that it does not allow patrons to view child pornography, it stands to reason that the CPL could extend similar measures to prevent all pornography from being on open display.

However, regardless of the legality of any pornography, according to Chicago Municipal Code 2-64-02, it is well within the rights of the Library Board of Directors to govern the library using their Statutory Authority. The Chicago Public Library already has several guidelines and regulations in place regarding many behaviors without concern for legality. For example, according to the Guidelines Governing the Use of the Library posted on the Chicago Public Library website, a patron can be asked to leave and possibly arrested if they neglect their personal hygiene so that it gives offense and constitutes a nuisance to other patrons. A patron can also be asked to leave if they are caught eating, drinking, smoking or sleeping. These behaviors are not illegal, but they are nonetheless banned in the Chicago Public Library.

Pornography is controversial and divisive. When people choose to view these explicit images openly it creates a threatening environment for those that don’t want to be exposed to them, especially when they are not able to voice their objections. All nearby patrons are exposed without consent or even fair warning, including children.

Although children do have their own computer area in the children’s section, many children accompany their parents on the third floor and some older children use the entire library, including the third floor computer area, without being accompanied by an adult. Just being in the general area of the computers on the third floor can expose our children to these graphic images. However, banning children from the third floor computer area is not the answer. Banning children from the third floor adult computer work area prevents single parents from using Internet services while accompanying their child at the library. It also does nothing to address the issue of adults who want to be protected from second-hand pornography.

I am requesting that pornography be banned from public display in my public library. At the very least we should provide truly private access for those choosing to view it. If this requires a separate room, then please do so. It is imperative that we protect our children and those that do not wish to be subjected to these images.

Sincerely,

Amanda Bratschie

For ideas and suggestions of various ways to ban pornography from the public library, please see the enclosed article titled “Libraries Vary in Strategy on Porn”. (http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/03/04/libraries_vary_in_strategy_on_porn/)

Enclosure

CC:
Chicago Public Library Board of Directors
Karen Danczak Lyons - First Deputy Commissioner
Ruth Lednicer - Director, Marketing and Press

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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".