Tim May wrote:
>
> You'd be surprised at how many libraries have their own filtering rules,
> implemented either with filters (like SafeSurf and its cousins) or with
> rules about which sites may be visited.
>
> Here in my County, Santa Cruz County, the Internet terminals are restricted
> in various ways. Try pulling up images of "Brandy Sanders, Penthouse Pet of
> the Month" in all her legs spread glory and see what happens. Either the
> sites will be blocked (however ineffectually) by the aforementioned
> filters, or nosy libraries will intervene.
>
> No government agencies, from the Federal or State level, are pushing this
> on them.
>
Obviously I can't speak for every library everywhere. but often it's the
local gov that pushes this. City, county, etc. And obviously also, most
libraries are going to discourage visits to porn sites on public terminals, what
choice do they have? They are trying to avoid mandated filtering -- if you go in
and insist on pulling up porn, which will upset other patrons, you'll probably
not be allowed to use the terminals. The usual problem is a kid pulls up a porn
shot, then walks away, leaving it there to shock others. That then causes a
problem for the library because someone complains to the city/county, who then
demand filters. And since libraries are already having serious problems with
funding -- being most locality's "first on the cut list, last on the up list" --
they have to tread a very fine line.
Which brings up another topic. How would libraries be funded in a
true libertarian society? Privately? 8-) 8-) I've given that a lot of
thought, and am quite familiar with library costs, etc. There's not any possible
way that I can see a "pay per use" library working.
--
Harmon Seaver, MLIS Systems Librarian
Arrowhead Library System Virginia, MN
(218) 741-3840 [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://harmon.arrowhead.lib.mn.us
