"porn" in the library

[terakhan]

I was driving my stepdad around one day, and one of his stops was the library. While he was off getting his latest stack of books to read, I happened to glance at one of the computers in use in the main room of the library. The guy was on a website for adult video chat services.

Mentioned it to the librarian on duty, and got a sort of couldn't care less attitude from her about it.

[MoonCat]

Our local library has some computers that are set inside the desk, with a sort of "hood"-type thingy over it, so other people can't see what you're looking at. I'm sure some people use them to look at porn sites, while others probably just use them to look up their bank statements or something.

You would think if this guy was so worried about this, he would have alerted a librarian. What the heck does he think can be done about it after the fact??

[PepperElf]

well i'm glad he's taken the decision to not let her in alone. i'd rather see that then see a parent who takes no interest in what the kids are doing.


as for whether or not there was actual porn on the computer, the problem is... i believe some areas don't allow libraries to filter content. so as much as he might want it changed, it could easily be out of your hands.

not sure what the local laws are here, but... i haven't seen anything questionable yet. the terminals are pretty public though. and half of them (we only have like 4 of 5 anyway) are stuck to the online catalogue page.

[Whiskey]

I always figured the computers at the library WERE heavily monitored for the sneaky butts who got around the filters. Then again, some people consider Maxim Magazine to be hardcore porn. You can't please everyone all the time.

[CrazedClerkthe2nd]

Anyone else read the thread title to the tune of "Born in the USA"?

[KellyHabersham]

Our local library has some computers that are set inside the desk, with a sort of "hood"-type thingy over it, so other people can't see what you're looking at. I'm sure some people use them to look at porn sites, while others probably just use them to look up their bank statements or something.

You would think if this guy was so worried about this, he would have alerted a librarian. What the heck does he think can be done about it after the fact??

From what "SuckyDad" said, I got the feeling he felt staff should be more active with monitoring computer usage......possibly by standing around the computers and looking over everyone's shoulder to watch what they were doing. Which is exactly what I feel staff should NOT do - among other things, it makes for a very uncomfortable library experience for customers.......this I know because it's how the librarians at my high school handled things when we first got Internet access there.

[MoonCat]

From what "SuckyDad" said, I got the feeling he felt staff should be more active with monitoring computer usage......possibly by standing around the computers and looking over everyone's shoulder to watch what they were doing. Which is exactly what I feel staff should NOT do - among other things, it makes for a very uncomfortable library experience for customers.......this I know because it's how the librarians at my high school handled things when we first got Internet access there.

I agree with that, and I think most librarians do, too. They have this thing about "non-censorship"

I still wonder what the guy saw that looked like "porn" to him. It could have been that, but it could also have been one of those online-game ads that keep coming up on various sites...you probably know the ones, they feature lots of cleavage which, as I understand it, has nothing to do with the actual game...

[EricKei]

Maybe I'm channeling Sheldon here, but... Why is all of this making me think "librarian porn" ...? >_<

"Hardbacks", starring Dewmi Decimal...
"Steaming Up the A/V Room"
"69.69.69.69"
"Circulation After Hours"

Thanks... Thanks a LOT x_X

[Mr Hero]

Maybe I'm channeling Sheldon here, but... Why is all of this making me think "librarian porn" ...? >_<

"Hardbacks", starring Dewmi Decimal...
"Steaming Up the A/V Room"
"69.69.69.69"
"Circulation After Hours"

Thanks... Thanks a LOT x_X

Excuse me ma'am I need to insert my hardcover into your book return.

The library is really really great.
For porn!

[jedimaster91]

well i'm glad he's taken the decision to not let her in alone.

This was one of my biggest pet peeves when I babysat our library's computer lab. Parents would drop kids off--sometimes really young kids--and leave them there all day. I worked mostly at the downtown branch, which is NOT a place any sane parent would want to leave their kids. Frankly I'm amazed we didn't have any kids snatched.

There was also a big to-do at one of the other branches concerning naughty pictures. The manager had to get the police involved because someone was very publicly viewing kiddie porn.

Honestly, why would anyone want to view nekkid pix in public places, especially where kids might be running around? I even told a guy once that if he got his own computer at his own house, we didn't care what he did with it. But our policy was no porn and he couldn't look at it at the library.

I still wonder what the guy saw that looked like "porn" to him. It could have been that, but it could also have been one of those online-game ads that keep coming up on various sites...you probably know the ones, they feature lots of cleavage which, as I understand it, has nothing to do with the actual game...

Mr Jedi used to play that game, and no there are no scantily clad females. From what I could tell, it was a lot like Runescape.

[tropicsgoddess]

There aren't any filters I know of that can't be circumvented, some quite easily.

I see people using proxy websites to circumvent filters...but not at libraries though. My county libraries have filters and you have to agree to abiding by the rules and such before being able to login the computer and use it.

[Athaelia]

Anyone else read the thread title to the tune of "Born in the USA"?

It was...pooooooorrrrrn in the liiiibrrrraaarrry!

*rocks out*