[Publib] Librarians required to provide access to porn? was WIRED...

[Cordelia Swanson]

Could there be a link between these two running threads we have been discussing?
   
  Free porn available on computers at the library 
  AND
  Increased computer usage at most libraries
   
  Aren't we always looking for ways to increase our stats? Is this a niche audience in our community that has been previously under served by library services? Congrats to us for creating a place where we can serve those who want to view pornography in a public setting. Let's call them PIPs (Pornographers in Public).
   
  Maybe we should increase services to this community? Create adults only viewing rooms. What kind of programs could we invent to serve PIP entertainment needs? Erotic dance appreciation classes? It seems like many library professionals consider PIPs to have protected rights but they don't want to celebrate having them as patrons. Isn't that shameful? How puritanical and judgmental of us. (I've learned from previous posts that we should abandon judgment when it comes to selecting items and services for our libraries. We should trust the judgment of each patron who requests items or services from the library.)
   
  How will our community be enriched and enlightened (aren't these words pre-requisites for library mission statements) by embracing PIPs and offering services to them? These PIPs need a place to meet and why not use government funds to make it possible? They have met so much opposition for their need to view graphic images in public. Poor PIPs.
   
  I ask of our library community, what kind of fruit are we expecting to grow from these pips? If purposefully displaying a naked image on a computer screen isn't illegal then why would exposing yourself be illegal or committing a lewd (doesn't that sound judgmental?) act? That would be restricting that person's freedom of expression, wouldn't it? Who cares if a young child standing or sitting nearby sees? Some libraries laughably try to protect children by putting up privacy screens. These are just about as effective as internet filters at blocking everything. Children will see all of these things eventually. We've all grown accustomed to it. 
   
   
  P.S. I have a great new bumper sticker idea: 
  PIPs DO IT AT THE PUBLIC LIBRARY! (Available at any public library)

 
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