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L.A. council votes against porn-filtering software for its library computers
By Rick Orlov Staff Writer of http://www.pasadenastarnews.com
The city of Los Angeles will not install pornography-filtering software on library computers, but instead will make the monitors more difficult to be seen by nearby children, officials said Tuesday.
The City Council discussion was sparked by an incident in December when parents complained that a patron at the Chinatown library was viewing pornography on a public computer, in plain sight of children nearby.
"It was material that offended the parents and they were concerned about what we were doing to respond in a manner so people feel safe in the library," Councilman Ed Reyes said.
Officials reviewed the system’s computer policy but decided against restricting content.
"It’s a slippery slope between First Amendment rights and shutting off computers," city librarian Martin Gomez told the City Council, adding that it is parents’ responsibility to monitor their children’s use of the library.
However, libraries are working to move computers so they cannot easily be seen by someone standing behind the user, and installing privacy shields to limit visibility, Gomez said.
Councilman Paul Krekorian insisted the city should look at filtering software.
"I think we can use that and have people ask our librarians to unblock it for them," he said.
Krekorian was told there are problems with the various programs as well as court rulings allowing adults access to all information available on the Internet.
Library officials said they usually receive fewer than a half-dozen complaints a year about pornography on public computers.
Councilman Tony Cardenas said there are a number of court cases pending regarding computer access at public libraries. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled it is constitutional for schools and libraries to have filters on computers to limit access to certain sites.