should library patrons be allowed to view pornographic materials on library cpu?

[angus]

I actually got to think about this sort of thing last week and discuss it.  My university is opening a new library this fall and I was more or less drafted as the representative of my department on a working committee (which has the unfortunate acronym MILF) to set policy.  Among other things, we discussed the issue of how to deal with customers viewing sites which make other customers feel threatened.  (Yes, the librarians actually refer to them as customers, not patrons, apparently.)  The examples given were terrorist websites, white supremacist websites, and pornographic websites.  The majority felt that such viewings should not be forbidden and no attempt at website blocking should be attempted, but customers sitting nearby using the library's resources should also have the right not to be made uncomfortable. 

In the end, we decided to add a dependent clause in the general rules policy which is posted at the door and available on flyers distributed throughout the library.  It would say something like "...users of library computers must be sensitive to the need of other users to work in a non-distracting environment..."  Each case would be dealt with pro re nata.  For example, if a computer user reported that he or she was offended by what was on the screen in his or her field of vision, the librarian would walk over and take a look at the screen.  If the librarian felt that it was a legitimate complaint, then the librarian would request and require that the offending user move to a more secluded computer, of which there would be several available generally.  If the user complains that his/her rights are being violated, then the librarian would politely inform the user of the rights of others, as described in the usage policy, and would continue to suggest the move.  If things got out of hand at that point, the librarian would then call the police at one of several special phones stationed throughout the library and report a disturbance of the peace.