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The Debate in Tucson: Is the Library a Place for Porn?

April 24, 2006 - 11:29pm — birdie

MG75 writes "As we all know when it comes to computers in the library, there is the debate to filter or not to filter. Pima County government is about to take over the operation of the Tuscon-Pima Public Library from the city in a few months and will be installing filters on all of the computers in the library. Here is the story from
the Arizona Daily Star."

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April 25, 2006 - 12:19am — GregS*

against adult filters

I'm against adult filters on computers. Every effort should be made to keep life simple. Everytime you add something to a computer that has to be maintained by staff you make life less simple. The staff should act as the filter the same way they filter noise and behavior, its not hard. And a firm start makes it clear to everyone what will and won't be tolerated.

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April 25, 2006 - 12:34am — Great Western Dragon

It's not just an issue of filtering

It's not just an issue of to filter or not to filter. Quite simply, Arizona State Law requires public libraries to filter (A.R.S. § 34-502).

A public library that provides a public access computer shall do one or both of the following:

1. Equip the computer with software that will limit minors' ability to gain access to material that is harmful to minors or purchase internet connectivity from an internet service provider that provides filter services to limit access to material that is harmful to minors.

2. Develop and implement by January 1, 2000, a policy that establishes measures to restrict minors from gaining computer access to material that is harmful to minors.

As you can see, the issue of filtering is pretty much decided in the state of Arizona. So the library's hands are pretty much bound by the law in how they handle things. In many of the libraries in neighbouring Maricopa County (home to Phoenix), there are computers open for all access. Since children as well as adults can access those computers, then they are filtered.

Not that I agree with all of this, but as far as the Arizona goes, this issue is decided.

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April 25, 2006 - 1:18am — GregS*

Re:It's not just an issue of filtering

Its not decided if they limit access by age.

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April 25, 2006 - 1:41am — Karl

Re:It's not just an issue of filtering

That may be true (we haven't read the complete text of the law) but even if it is, that brings up a whole other level of complexity for libraries.
Do you have separate computers for kids and adults? How do you police that?
Will it be necessary to add ages to everyone's library record?
Is there software that will recognize that age field when allowing or disallowing logins, or will staff have to verify everyone's card manually?
What about parents with small children who want them playing games on the computer next to them while they work on a paper or report?

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April 25, 2006 - 3:35am — mdoneil

Simple

No internet access except to specific sites such as Thompson Gale, LexisNexis etc.

No more perverts, just research and scholarship.

Not a filter per se but a list of allowed sites.

Internet access at the library is not a right, it is simply a convenience. Personally I'd be much happier if the people who only used the Internet simpy went away.

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April 25, 2006 - 5:28am — sarahmae

Re:It's not just an issue of filtering

In LA County we also have mandated filtering, although the parents get to choose whether their children have filtered, unfiltered, or no internet access on the computers. Adults get unfiltered unless they choose filtered. We use SAM internet management software.

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April 25, 2006 - 2:18pm — birdie

Re:Simple

you said, "No more perverts, just research and scholarship." ...wait a minute, isn't there something between perversion and scholarship? Like curiousity and a desire for knowledge? I think non-scholars deserve a crack at exploring and finding information too.

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April 25, 2006 - 10:48pm — exlibriscat

Re:Simple

I'm with Birdie on this one--as far as non-scholars being allowed to find information aside from what is contained in Thompson Gale and LexisNexis. Our libraries contain books on all kinds of topics, and they certainly aren't confined to scholary and research topics!

Now, I dislike the pervs as much as you do, so I understand the frustration.
As far as the internet users simply going away... I have a feeling those people are the ones driving up the usage stats at many libraries. How would you separate those who only use the internet from those who use the internet and also check out books?
We need to remember that these people (our users, not the creepy sex offenders) are the reason we have jobs in the first place... no matter how stupid and/or annoying they are. :-)

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