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

[© tweed]

I was speaking with my mother about this the other day.  she initially said no but I convinced her that it should be allowed, providing simple protocol is followed.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

As a general rule, no.  You'd have to have an adults only computer room to keep children from viewing what was on the screens of other users.  Plus, what's the point of having porn if you can't fully enjoy it? There's no way that you can legally do that in public.

[politicus]

Providing access to porn is not a librarys business.

[TNF]

Providing access to porn is not a librarys business.

Nor is it a library's business to define what qualifies as pornographic.

Bingo.

Of course, the optimal solution to this entire 'problem' would be for there to public ownership of the Internet backbone and allowing low income families free or reduced access, but that's rather unlikely, given that the Internet has become laissez faire's greatest frontier ever.

[DC Al Fine]

Providing access to porn is not a librarys business.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

Providing access to porn is not a librarys business.

[opebo]

Providing access to porn is not a librarys business.

But what is 'porn'?  Simply provide private internet viewing booths.

[minionofmidas]

Only for research purposes.

[opebo]

Only for research purposes.

Is that a euphemism?

[minionofmidas]

Only for research purposes.

Is that a euphemism?

Not really, but I noticed that it could be construed that way when I wrote it.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

No.

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

Of course not.

[opebo]

Of course not.

So, what's porn then?  Perhaps information about transvestitism is considered by most people to be pornographic.  What about all the little transvestites?

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

Of course not.

So, what's porn then?  Perhaps information about transvestitism is considered by most people to be pornographic.  What about all the little transvestites?

Leaving aside the fact that I am not technically a transvestite, most of the people who set policies like this define pornography in a way that takes intent to titillate into account, opebo.

[Vosem]

Yes. I don't see the point of just looking at it, if you catch my drift (and you shouldn't be allowed to go beyond that), but if that's your cup of tea, certainly.

[Dr. Cynic]

Providing access to porn is not a librarys business.

[Indy Texas]

Providing access to porn is not a librarys business.

Nor is it a library's business to define what qualifies as pornographic.

Bingo.

Of course, the optimal solution to this entire 'problem' would be for there to public ownership of the Internet backbone and allowing low income families free or reduced access, but that's rather unlikely, given that the Internet has become laissez faire's greatest frontier ever.

...because lack of access to pornography is one of the great injustices facing the poor? I'd be more concerned about, oh I don't know, their kids being able to access sources to write papers for school and stuff.

[The Mikado]

Not sure about whether or not it should be allowed to view pornographic material at the library, but I am pretty sure that it shouldn't be allowed to masturbate in the library.

[TNF]

Providing access to porn is not a librarys business.

Nor is it a library's business to define what qualifies as pornographic.

Bingo.

Of course, the optimal solution to this entire 'problem' would be for there to public ownership of the Internet backbone and allowing low income families free or reduced access, but that's rather unlikely, given that the Internet has become laissez faire's greatest frontier ever.

...because lack of access to pornography is one of the great injustices facing the poor? I'd be more concerned about, oh I don't know, their kids being able to access sources to write papers for school and stuff.

The poor should have equal access to the Internet regardless of how they use it.

[RogueBeaver]

Providing access to porn is not a librarys business.

[opebo]

Of course not.

So, what's porn then?  Perhaps information about transvestitism is considered by most people to be pornographic.  What about all the little transvestites?

Leaving aside the fact that I am not technically a transvestite, most of the people who set policies like this define pornography in a way that takes intent to titillate into account, opebo.

Pictures of bedposts titillate some people, Nathan.

[DC Al Fine]

Providing access to porn is not a librarys business.

Nor is it a library's business to define what qualifies as pornographic.

Bingo.

Of course, the optimal solution to this entire 'problem' would be for there to public ownership of the Internet backbone and allowing low income families free or reduced access, but that's rather unlikely, given that the Internet has become laissez faire's greatest frontier ever.

...because lack of access to pornography is one of the great injustices facing the poor? I'd be more concerned about, oh I don't know, their kids being able to access sources to write papers for school and stuff.

But independentTX, how will the poor souls jack off?

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

As long as we're not confusing 'pornographic materials' for 'nude art,' then no, I don't think it should be allowed.

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

Of course not.

So, what's porn then?  Perhaps information about transvestitism is considered by most people to be pornographic.  What about all the little transvestites?

Leaving aside the fact that I am not technically a transvestite, most of the people who set policies like this define pornography in a way that takes intent to titillate into account, opebo.

Pictures of bedposts titillate some people, Nathan.

And pictures of horses titillate others. I never said 'intent to titillate' was all that most people's definition of pornography takes into account.

[H. Ross Peron]

No, just as why talking loudly or cursing wouldn't be allowed at the library.