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Librarians stand aside as patron watches porn - Malibu Times

thelifeguardlibrarian:

thelibrarianontherun:

As if them looking at porn wasn’t bad enough:

“The man was looking at porn, and the man was doing a little dance with his headphones on, and grinding,” Thomas said.

Thoughts: One great point on LISNews was brought up by a comment on the posted article:

“We were told its illegal to view or display pornographic images in an area where anyone under 18 can see them. Since children and teens have free reign to go wherever they want in our building, that means that any porn viewing would be illegal because you have to assume that a child could see it.”

Which is true. Right? But also, a comment was made on the recent Seattle library porn debate:

“But what I find ironic is that you can’t talk too loudly at the Seattle Public Libraries or you’ll be asked to keep it down so as not to distract the other patrons. You know, the patrons viewing pornography.”

However, there is one exception mentioned in the article where the librarian can call the police and ask the person to quit what they are viewing: CHILD PORN.

But my question is: if child pornography is a no-no, what about people that enjoy watching gang rape as a form of pornography? What then? Or adult S&M/bondage/violent porn? It’s not child pornography, but rape? Because it’s definitely out there.

Like I said, so many issues, man. So many.

From the County of Los Angeles Public Library Internet Service Acceptible Use Policy:

Use of the Internet is a privilege, not a right, which may be revoked at any time for inappropriate conduct. Violations may result in the loss of Internet use and/or library privileges. Examples of inappropriate conduct include but are not limited to:

o Use of the Internet for unlawful or malicious activities such as child pornography

o Behavior which disrupts or prevents other people’s use of library resources

The rest of the policy can be viewed here. It’s an extremely complicated issue, but as soon as librarians deem behavior to be disruptive (such as nasty dancing) the policy should be enforced. It’s also an extremely uncomfortable situation for librarians and library workers. Management should clearly explain policies and the means by which to enforce them. There are no simple answers here, just suggestions.

Lots of interesting commentary here. A complicated issue!

I’m sorry, there is nothing complicated about this issue, and it’s pretty insane that anyone would think otherwise.

Librarians stand aside as patron watches porn - Malibu Times

libraryjournal:

thelifeguardlibrarian:

thelibrarianontherun:

As if them looking at porn wasn’t bad enough:

“The man was looking at porn, and the man was doing a little dance with his headphones on, and grinding,” Thomas said.

Thoughts: One great point on LISNews was brought up by a comment on the posted article:

“We were told its illegal to view or display pornographic images in an area where anyone under 18 can see them. Since children and teens have free reign to go wherever they want in our building, that means that any porn viewing would be illegal because you have to assume that a child could see it.”

Which is true. Right? But also, a comment was made on the recent Seattle library porn debate:

“But what I find ironic is that you can’t talk too loudly at the Seattle Public Libraries or you’ll be asked to keep it down so as not to distract the other patrons. You know, the patrons viewing pornography.”

However, there is one exception mentioned in the article where the librarian can call the police and ask the person to quit what they are viewing: CHILD PORN.

But my question is: if child pornography is a no-no, what about people that enjoy watching gang rape as a form of pornography? What then? Or adult S&M/bondage/violent porn? It’s not child pornography, but rape? Because it’s definitely out there.

Like I said, so many issues, man. So many.

From the County of Los Angeles Public Library Internet Service Acceptible Use Policy:

Use of the Internet is a privilege, not a right, which may be revoked at any time for inappropriate conduct. Violations may result in the loss of Internet use and/or library privileges. Examples of inappropriate conduct include but are not limited to:

o Use of the Internet for unlawful or malicious activities such as child pornography

o Behavior which disrupts or prevents other people’s use of library resources

The rest of the policy can be viewed here. It’s an extremely complicated issue, but as soon as librarians deem behavior to be disruptive (such as nasty dancing) the policy should be enforced. It’s also an extremely uncomfortable situation for librarians and library workers. Management should clearly explain policies and the means by which to enforce them. There are no simple answers here, just suggestions.

Lots of interesting commentary here. A complicated issue!