[Publib] Librarians required to provide access to porn? wasWIRED...

[Dutcher, Henry]

Oh, I try so hard not to respond, but alas....

For me the issue revolves around what is it and why do we think the way
we do about it.

Here is, I kid you not, a true example from my library.

A patron was nice enough to leave running a video of mice entering and
leaving a female's genitalia and related orifice.  The female was very,
very still which leaves one to wonder about what condition she was in.

Now, is this sexual?  Is it Pornographic?  Is it Obscene?  If it is not
sexual what makes it pornographic or obscene?  What filter do you think
would filter it?  There was no text.

Yes, in case you wonder about me.  It was one of the most disturbing
things I have ever viewed.  And no, I would not in under any
circumstance allow it to be viewed freely in the public library if I
could prevent it. But why?

Henry Dutcher
Library Director
Enfield Public Library
104 Middle Rd.
Enfield, CT  06082
860-763-7550
860-763-7514 fax
hdutcher at enfield.org
 

-----Original Message-----
From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Eric
Sent: Friday, December 01, 2006 9:25 AM
To: publib at webjunction.org
Subject: Re: [Publib] Librarians required to provide access to porn?
wasWIRED...


On 11/30/06, Patty Wanninger <pwanninger at blueislandlibrary.org> wrote:

 But I
> also think that hardcore porn is something we as a society WANT to see
kept
> behind the soaped windows of Red Letter News or in a sad creepy little
> chalet-like hut off the Interstate.

I wouldn't be so quick to say that. I'm a dreaded twentysomething and
porn isn't really that big a deal anymore. Social mores change all the
time.

 Hardcore porn is usually
> constitutionally protected speech, but it isn't an appropriate use of
the
> library.

I wouldn't be so quick to say that, either.

-- 
"Why are the machines so sad?"
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