Yes, I think so. Just because if you want to access nasty stuff, do it on your own computer.
Depends on what it is. If it’s adult material and children are able to access it then it should be filtered.
I think no. I work at a library so I am no stranger to this issue. At our library, we do not employ filters, but we also do not let people view porn since the computers are in public areas and could expose children to inappropriate content. Most filters just do not work well, though.
yes, or have there unfiltered computers specified for adult use only in private booths were the kids won’t accidentally walk by and see something graphic, etc.. being ‘researched’.
yes
Hey! I made it in the top ten!!! Okay, so I’m lame. Who cares?
Yes. Being that a library is family oriented they are responsible for keeping our children protected from some of the filth.
Yes.
yes. kids can get on there and look at porn. badd. baddd
woo i was 9th
no. i was not ninth. fine. ldknfldks
with in reason. for most people I would say – access what you want to access at home if you can’t get it at the library. But not everyone has internet access and they may be held back from information they have a right to access. So it has to be reasonable. The librarians have to be flexible, so that people can get the information they need.
WAIT I WAS. ee. yay
er ill leave noww
yes. I agree with the person above who stated that if children can access it, then yes, it should be filtered. The library is public but the computers are the librarys property. Porn and other things shouldn’t be allowed to be accessed on the computer. They’re pretty lenient on what you can access and honestly, accessing porn at a library is just creepy.
Yep…I think so…..
Absolutely. Children have access to these computers, plus just walking by they could view inappropriate material. View adult items on your own computer where no kids can see it. If it had to be there, then I agree with a post above that would require the unfiltered computer to be in a separate isolated room and only allow adults to use it. That way kids would be guaranteed not to use it or see it.
Thanks for your comment today. It made me smile.
It depends.
For some research, many ’clean’ things can get blocked. Depends on what kind of filter you are talking about too. Stronger or weaker? It all depends…Hm everything seems to depend…
Ah, nevermind.
I couldn’t have said it better than StephanieTexas. Good answer.
However, excessive filtering defeats the purpose of having the internet at all. My school had a problem with popups for porn sites and the like, so they got a strict filtering system. Now, pretty much everything is blocked. Sad but true.
Adult material should be, there’s kids all over the place.
i think a filter should be used when accessing the net, but full access if i go in person, or dog, or.. if they ever let dogs in… erggg… you know what i mean… woof!
Yes because it is a public library.
yes. Just because of the children.
No, they do a crappy job.
yeah. people can look over shoulders and such.
Of course. Just as they do with published printed content.
NO!
It shoudl be monitured, but not taken away. Why should we deny those who don’t have their own computers access to any and all information?
Yes….but I think it won’t happen anytime soon!!! haha
yes
Then the library would be empty
should xanga filter out one-line entries? j/k =P
yes, because it could screw up the computer, and that’s the only reason.
No they shouldn’t be able to filter things. It isn’t everybody else’s job to take care of other people’s children.
Erika
to a point, yes
dependable they could have filitered computer i would like but then EVERYONE would have this great big fuss Erica
The Library should run the internet just like a parent does for their children.
If you wanna look up porn, then you can get the internet at home, and quit tying up a computer needed for research.
I don’t know how sick you have to be to wanna search for that stuff in a room full of strangers, but I don’t think that type of person should be around children in the first place.
cluster of five-year-olds: “what’s that, mister?”
creepy person on internet in library: “well kids, this here is the xanga site of a mister DMV. He likes booze and tits. Do you know what those are kids?”
cluster of five-year-olds: “No! Tell us!”
creepy person: “Well, you see…”
And that’s why a public library should be able to filter. It’s responsible for everyone who comes in and out.
yeh
Absolutely.
Yes, because of the kids that get on there and could see a lot of things they shouldn’t or even be potentially solicited by some sick bastard. Even if there was an age restriction, and adult could be looking at something appropriate with kids around.
Of course libraries should filter internet material. Unfortunately, filtering programs have not reached a point where pornographic pictures are just not loaded. People should be able to go to any sort of internet site they enjoy, but that does not mean everything on that page has to completely load. Some material is just not appropriate for a public setting, and what material is really not arguable because it is common sense.
And as far as protecting children is concerned, that is the parent’s job. If the parent(s) cannot defend their children or help their children protect themselves from such internet content, then they need to get a few parenting lessons.
nope.
Yes. If parents would do their job, they wouldn’t have to.
Ya,
However, there should be a way for the librian to deactivate it if you can’t get to your research topic or some thing like that.
Yes
yeah. if you want to look at the naughty sites, get your own damn computer.
As was said before, filtering sites can only do so much to keep up with the exponential growth of porn sites added to the internet daily. However, if the library computers were placed in an open/heavy traffic section of the library, and were equipped with at least some filtering software, it would be fairly unlikely that people would spend too much time viewing inappropriate sites in public libraries.
no if its a public library then the public should be ready for what it has to offer
Then you get into the debate on what stuff do you filter? I agree pornographic sites should be blocked, but there are problems with filters. I’ve been on computers that won’t even let me access hotmail or something. Some content on xanga could be considered inappropriate for young kids…what if xanga was blocked????? Filtering can cause big problems on what is considered public domain and what sites would be considered inappropriate and blocked.
Dan, if he was able to, what about Arnold in 2008? Would he have a chance? Just curious.
yes, if it’s things like pornography. either that or they should have a room for pornography veiwers to go in away from children and others who don’t want to see that stuff. but others things, such as blogs and chat rooms shouldn’t.
sure they filter everything else that’s public.
i.e. tv, radio, newspaper
maybe we should have a subscription type of library…members only? haha
Yes it’s a public place. You don’t have pictures of people naked and swearing at a daycare.
No… that is the parent’s responsibility
Yes.
Dan. I read your comments on gambling. I wasn’t saying that investing in the stock market is wrong, but rather that it’s ok.
Larry
yes, it is a public place.
some filters make it so that you cannot view some perfectly alright sites, which may or may not violate the freedom to information act, depending. at the same time, children and others should not be subjected to that kind of material if they choose not to be. If they accidentally run across it and it offends them, they could file a lawsuit against that library. Either way, it could end in a lawsuit.
But as a Christian, i believe that you should not view inappopriate material such as pornography, literotica, etc. That being said, i do believe they should put up filters.
Yes. In a library, it is public access, which means children could stumble across sites that they perhaps should not. So yes. If people want to look up porn, then they need to get net at home!
Your writing style reminds me of “Deep Thoughts” by Jack Handy on SNL. Do you remember them? They were random ideas narrated by someone with a very deep, profound voice.
I sure wouldn’t want kiddie porn being accessed at the public library.
Yes. It’s a public library. You can stop some little kid from waltzing inside and suddenly noticing some sick stuff popping up on someone’s screen. If someone wants to see something other people shouldn’t see, or something that other people don’t want to see, they should find someplace else to get it. Not a library. A library is a place for resources, like books.
Do you visit all the sites of the people who visit you?
Mary
RYC: I am, I just put up a new post apparently while you wrote that comment.
yes
but the restriciton should be limited to porn and thats about it. censoring anything else restricts freedom of speech
ugh… I just had to write an unneccessarily long paper on this subject. my view: necessary evil.
No. My school has a filter, but I can’t even get on GOOGLE! It’s so frikin’ annoying! I do have a hacker friend that gave me a password to get pass the filter. That’s another thing. I don’t think that teachers should get access to get pass the filter at my school. What would be more horrifying than being a 2nd grader, and catching your teacher masturbating! That would scar anybody for LIFE!
But about the library, there should be supervision, but no filters.
um let’s see…. NO the goverment is taking away our freedom by giving itself accsess to our private information, like what we check out and what sites we visit online. I know that this is early but it is Wednesday and I am going to get ready for bed so… My cousin and her daughters need prayers, Today was the funeral for her 6 month old daughter. Her and her older girls need strength and peace, along with the rest of my family, I would greatly appreciate them- Heather
Oh hey my answer is for both this and the last post, I don’t think that libraries should have filters and I don’t think that the goverment should be allowed to see the books we check out.
ryc: hahaha ya i’m so excited. joel fixed the problem early this afternoon. woohoo!!!
have a good day =)
No. I don’t believe in filtering for several reasons. The first is obvious. The second is because they don’t work right.
I used to work at a place where key words were blocked from access. I was researching human evolution and typed in the species “Homo neanderthalis”. It blocked me because I typed in homo.
Here are some other filtered searches that were stupidly blocked.
Trilobite (extinct invert.), Cummingtonite (a mineral), pussy willow, Tyranosaurus rex, cynobacteria, primordial, Zues, Hera, and pudding….yes pudding, I have no idea why!
Assuming the ultimate goal is to prevent kids from viewing inapproriate stuff, then yes, filters are allowable. The problem with filters is that they are not perfect–they can block valid research sites. The “computers in public places” is a much better solution–preferably, public places that are visible from the librarians’ desk(s).
no. filters dont work that well in the first place, and they often filter legit content. doesnt the library have “romance novels” anyways? if a kid wanted to find adult content, he/she doesnt need the internet.
im pretty anti-censorship as it is, i wont go into all those reasons besides the ones i listed.
Yes
Yes. People are probably visiting sites that shouldn’t even be allowed on the Internet. I know I’ve seen someone on a site like that. Some of the people before me said because of the children, but I think that they should filter for the adults as well.
yes, because, otherwise, you’d have some jackasses looking at porn with kids walking by! sad, but true.
Yeah please. I didn’t come to the library to see your left behind porn, I came to do my english essay.
yes material might be offensive to others
At first I thought no…but then it occured to me that someone could leave something objectionable on the screen and walk away and some kid could come up and check it out…so for that reason I say yes…but not so much that you cant use the public computer to do fun stuff like update your blog and check your yahoo mail like corporate firewalls do to keep you from goofing off.
In our library there is no filter, we have people doing all kinds of searches, reading there e-mail and also looking at porn. We had one patron masturbating, kinda gross I don’t think he will be back.
Yes. One can look up anything at his/her own computer.
If you absolutely have to, you could ask a librarian.
Yep
Yes. It is a public place and there is no reason for patrons of a library to be exposed to smut in a public library. Tax payers shoudl not subsidize someone’s smut obsession, bomb making activities or drug activities.
I would say ‘no’, because our school filter doesn’t let us access more innocent places like deviantART or Fanfiction.net, while some more adult-oriented stuff manages to slip by.
There should still be stuff blocking more explicit sites, though, but the effectiveness of it . . . hmm.
x__Stephany
Let me rephrase the question: should we pay taxes to have computers put in libraries so that horny people can go look at pornographic smut?
yess sir.
hmm… filtering never works anyway, it just makes the computers harder to use for practical stuff… like xanga. if it worked. sure. i dont think they have an obligation to, but its a nice gesture.
no
Yes, and please.
YES!
((( GRANDMA HUGS )))
Lori
Sure. It’s their computers. And unless you can filter the CHILDREN using them… absolutely!
If there is free internet access, if you can prove your over 18 then you should have access to everything. Kids looking at porn is against the law on paper. If they want to see it bad enough, they will find a way, just not w my taxdollars! Thats it though, to uphold the law where the computer is, everything else is game, its a library!
no, though some people should realize that the library is not the place to surf porn.
Yes
Yes
Yes
yes
yes
Yes. They ‘filter’ the books, magazines, and music they carry, why not the electronic content?
yes, but only because it’s a public place where children are allowed to be and they could see something that isn’t appropriate. a library should be a place everyone should go.
Definitely. Children use those computers, so there should be limits.
Yes … cause it is public … you want extras pay for it yourself.
Hi Dan!!!
Where children have access? Yes, of course.
I have no problem with it, although some ofthe filtters can be annoying when they cut out stuff that is perfectly fine.
That WOULD insure that only terrorists that are wealthy enough to afford internet access at home would be able to access potentially dangerous information.
So, I would say yes. If I am going to be attacked by terrorists, I want them to be terrorists of means instead of bums.
Or were you talking about filtering for porn only?
L,r
I work for a University library. This has been an issue before with us. Even young children still come to our library for computer use and other materials. Everyone has access to anything on the computer, including adult material. However, we’ve been told as employees to notify those that are offended by this kind of content of those who are looking at it, to move away from everyone toward the back of the room, etc. We do not block this kind of content for reasons that could be “research.” A public library is more family oriented, but I don’t think that they should block everything, even if I don’t agree with the idea. People who do not have computer access, has a right to look at what they want – separate rooms or away from others might be a good idea to keep children from seeing it so easily. But my personal opinion-kids are going to find a way somehow to look at anything that might be inappropriate for them…whether they are at home, at school or at a friend’s house.
It depends on what it is. If its strictly adult content, then I think it should be OUT of librarys. But if its just general things, No. Not everyone has internet access. besides, you can get read ANYTHING online. Librarys would go out of business if that happened. But this is assuming we’re not speaking of adult things.
No. Most filters suck and block out silly things that shouldn’t be blocked. Porn shouldn’t be aloud in public libraries, but that’s as far as I think it should go. And by porn I only mean things that are strictly sexual. Anatomy is something completely different.
i’m not really sure… although the idea of people searching porn at a public library is disturbing to say the least
Porn and shit like that has no place in the public library.
Everything else is okay
Do libraries filter the topic matter of the books that they have on their shelves? For example, I doubt that you would find “Dr. Jones guide to skinning live puppies” on your libraries shelves. It would be censored. Hence, it is then justified to limit what folks can access on the web.
i think the computers in the childrens department shoudl be filtered, but otherwise, i mean ur in public, and you should make ur own judgement. sometimes the filters are too strong and they wotn let you access what you need to, like say you’re doing a project on sexual health. it wont let you go to any of the sites because of the reference to sex.
Yes, but they should use a good filter that works well. I heard about a bill saying that porn websites have to end in “.xxx” instead of “.com” or whatever. That seems like a smart thing, but I guess that doesn’t really apply to the question. My answer is yes, though.
Ha ha–it’s a question to which I believe there is already an answer.
Yes, the institution should have that power, but I believe the Federal Court upon around Chicago ruled that a library could not “infringe on its patrons’ civil liberties” by keeping them from getting pornographic or adult material at library computer. Lovely…
i dont think that any information should be filtered or edited out to protect people. we all see the real world…why cant we watch it? or read it…
No,
becouse hell, my library has a filter and I could not even get on my xanga site from it. I also could not use my AIM acount to check my E-mails. So I give a big NO to filtering content in public libraryies!!!!
Spirk
yes!
Yes for the same reasons schools do it. If you are searching something up on Besty Ross for insance, what if there is a porn star with the same first or last name. Do you want someone to accidentally click that link and bring up a bunch of porn?
yeh!because if kids go and whatch nasty stuff!!!!!!
Jenny was so happy about the house they had found. For once in her life ’twas on the right side of town. She unpacked her things with such great ease. As she watched her new curtains blow in the breeze. How wonderful it was to have her own room. School would be starting; she’d have friends over soon. There’d be sleep-overs, and parties; she was so happy It’s just the way she wanted her life to be. On the first day of school, everything went great. She made new friends and even got a date! She thought, “I want to be popular and I’m going to be, Because I just got a date with the star of the team!” To be known in this school you had to have clout, And dating this guy would sure help her out. There was only one problem stopping her fate. Her parents had said she was too young to date. “Well I just won’t tell them the entire truth. They won’t know the difference; what’s there to lose?” Jenny asked to stay with her friends that night. Her parents frowned but said, “All right.” Excited, she got ready for the big event But as she rushed around like she had no sense, She began to feel guilty about all the lies, But what’s a pizza, a party, and a moonlight ride? Well the pizza was good, and the party was great, But the moonlight ride would have to wait. For Dan was half drunk by this time. But he kissed her and said that he was just fine. Then the room filled with smoked and Dan took a puff. Jenny couldn’t believe he was smoking that stuff. Now Dan was ready to ride to the point But only after he’d smoked another joint. They jumped in the car for the moonlight ride, Not thinking that he was too drunk to drive. They finally made it to the point at last, And Dan started trying to make a pass. A pass is not what Jenny wanted at all (and by a pass, I don’t mean playing football.) “Perhaps my parents were right….maybe I am too young. Boy, how could I ever, ever be so dumb.” With all of her might, she pushed Dan away: “Please take me home, I don’t want to stay.” Dan cranked up the engine and floored the gas. In a matter of seconds they were going too fast. As Dan drove on in a fit of wild anger, Jenny knew that her life was in danger. She begged and pleaded for him to slow down, But he just got faster as they neared the town. “Just let me get home! I’ll confess that I lied. I really went out for a moonlight ride.” Then all of a sudden, she saw a big flash. “Oh God, Please help us! We’re going to crash!” She doesn’t remember the force of impact. Just that everything all of a sudden went black. She felt someone remove her from the twisted rubble, And heard, “call an ambulance! These kids are in trouble! Voices she heard…a few words at best. But she knew there were two cars involved in the wreck. Then wondered to herself if Dan was all right, And if the people in the other car was alive. She awoke in the hospital to faces so sad. “You’ve been in a wreck and it looks pretty bad.” These voices echoed inside her head, As they gently told her that Dan was dead. They said “Jenny, we’ve done all we can do. But it looks as if we’ll lose you too.” “But the people in the other car!?” Jenny cried. “We’re sorry, Jenny, they also died.” Jenny prayed, “God, forgive me for what I’ve done I only wanted to have just one night of fun.” “Tell those people’s family, I’ve made their lives dim, And wish I could return their families to them.” “Tell Mom and Dad I’m sorry I lied, And that it’s my fault so many have died. Oh, nurse, won’t you please tell them that for me?” The nurse just stood there-she never agreed. But took Jenny’s hand with tears in her eyes. And a few moments later Jenny died. A man asked the nurse, “Why didn’t you do your best To bid that girl her one last request?” She looked at the man with eyes so sad. “Because the people in the other car were her mom and dad.” This story is sad and unpleasant but true, So young people take heed, it could have been you.
READ AND PASS ON TO AT LEAST 10 PEOPLE
Please listen to this angel’s request……
If you do the small favor she asks to come true, She will be sent down to guard and protect you.
Please….do it for Jenny.
Send ten copies and see what happens in four days. You will get a surprise. This is true, even if you are not superstitious.
Good luck, but please remember: 10 copies of this message must leave your hands in 24 hours……………………………
NO SEND Back’s
Nice site. Anyways, I think that there should be a special section in the library for computers for adults only. People complain about sexually explicit material on computers not being appropriate for public libraries, yet I myself have come across some very sexually graphic novels in the library that any kid could pick up. Isn’t that just as bad? If those novels are allowed in the library, the equivalent should be viewable on a computer in some area in the library.
No. Because when you sign up to use a computer, it says NO PORNO SITES ALLOWED.
So, obviously, if you are using a computer, you can read. You shouldn’t be on anything bad anyway. If a neighbor saw you looking at porn on the library computers, you wouold never live that reputation down.
Sorry to seem harsh.
Yours, Dave
Nope.
I know people think it’s so irresponsible….but if you would spend some time with your kids, instead of shipping them to this lesson and that camp and this practice for whatever sport you wish you played, and maybe taught them your values, and how to be good in life, they wouldnt be such snot nosed shots.
Not to you personally Dan. People in general.
to filter pornigraphic materials, yes. To filter out other ideas and opinions, no way!!
No, why should the government be able to control what I see? If I’m paying tax dollars, I should be able to do what I like with the computers. Also, what’s to keep the government from blocking political websites that they find objectionable?
at the library i work at the policy is no filtering. you are allowed to look at whatever you want…as long as your computer does not face the children’s area. oh and as long as there are no sexual images involving little kids.
I believe they reserve that right.
Nope. What we see on the internet is what life is all about. Kids nowadays just have to learn and cope with it.
Comments (126)
yes
Yes, I think so. Just because if you want to access nasty stuff, do it on your own computer.
Depends on what it is. If it’s adult material and children are able to access it then it should be filtered.
I think no. I work at a library so I am no stranger to this issue. At our library, we do not employ filters, but we also do not let people view porn since the computers are in public areas and could expose children to inappropriate content. Most filters just do not work well, though.
yes, or have there unfiltered computers specified for adult use only in private booths were the kids won’t accidentally walk by and see something graphic, etc.. being ‘researched’.
yes
Hey! I made it in the top ten!!! Okay, so I’m lame. Who cares?
Yes. Being that a library is family oriented they are responsible for keeping our children protected from some of the filth.
Yes.
yes. kids can get on there and look at porn. badd. baddd
woo i was 9th
no. i was not ninth. fine. ldknfldks
with in reason. for most people I would say – access what you want to access at home if you can’t get it at the library. But not everyone has internet access and they may be held back from information they have a right to access. So it has to be reasonable. The librarians have to be flexible, so that people can get the information they need.
WAIT I WAS. ee. yay
er ill leave noww
yes. I agree with the person above who stated that if children can access it, then yes, it should be filtered. The library is public but the computers are the librarys property. Porn and other things shouldn’t be allowed to be accessed on the computer. They’re pretty lenient on what you can access and honestly, accessing porn at a library is just creepy.
Yep…I think so…..
Absolutely. Children have access to these computers, plus just walking by they could view inappropriate material. View adult items on your own computer where no kids can see it. If it had to be there, then I agree with a post above that would require the unfiltered computer to be in a separate isolated room and only allow adults to use it. That way kids would be guaranteed not to use it or see it.
Thanks for your comment today. It made me smile.
It depends.
For some research, many ’clean’ things can get blocked. Depends on what kind of filter you are talking about too. Stronger or weaker? It all depends…Hm everything seems to depend…
Ah, nevermind.
I couldn’t have said it better than StephanieTexas. Good answer.
However, excessive filtering defeats the purpose of having the internet at all. My school had a problem with popups for porn sites and the like, so they got a strict filtering system. Now, pretty much everything is blocked.
Sad but true.
Adult material should be, there’s kids all over the place.
i think a filter should be used when accessing the net, but full access if i go in person, or dog, or.. if they ever let dogs in… erggg… you know what i mean… woof!
Yes because it is a public library.
yes. Just because of the children.
No, they do a crappy job.
yeah. people can look over shoulders and such.
Of course. Just as they do with published printed content.
NO!
It shoudl be monitured, but not taken away. Why should we deny those who don’t have their own computers access to any and all information?
Yes….but I think it won’t happen anytime soon!!! haha
yes
Then the library would be empty
should xanga filter out one-line entries? j/k =P
yes, because it could screw up the computer, and that’s the only reason.
No they shouldn’t be able to filter things. It isn’t everybody else’s job to take care of other people’s children.
Erika
to a point, yes
dependable they could have filitered computer i would like but then EVERYONE would have this great big fuss
Erica
The Library should run the internet just like a parent does for their children.
If you wanna look up porn, then you can get the internet at home, and quit tying up a computer needed for research.
I don’t know how sick you have to be to wanna search for that stuff in a room full of strangers, but I don’t think that type of person should be around children in the first place.
cluster of five-year-olds: “what’s that, mister?”
creepy person on internet in library: “well kids, this here is the xanga site of a mister DMV. He likes booze and tits. Do you know what those are kids?”
cluster of five-year-olds: “No! Tell us!”
creepy person: “Well, you see…”
And that’s why a public library should be able to filter. It’s responsible for everyone who comes in and out.
yeh
Absolutely.
Yes, because of the kids that get on there and could see a lot of things they shouldn’t or even be potentially solicited by some sick bastard. Even if there was an age restriction, and adult could be looking at something appropriate with kids around.
Of course libraries should filter internet material. Unfortunately, filtering programs have not reached a point where pornographic pictures are just not loaded. People should be able to go to any sort of internet site they enjoy, but that does not mean everything on that page has to completely load. Some material is just not appropriate for a public setting, and what material is really not arguable because it is common sense.
And as far as protecting children is concerned, that is the parent’s job. If the parent(s) cannot defend their children or help their children protect themselves from such internet content, then they need to get a few parenting lessons.
nope.
Yes. If parents would do their job, they wouldn’t have to.
Ya,
However, there should be a way for the librian to deactivate it if you can’t get to your research topic or some thing like that.
Yes
yeah. if you want to look at the naughty sites, get your own damn computer.
As was said before, filtering sites can only do so much to keep up with the exponential growth of porn sites added to the internet daily. However, if the library computers were placed in an open/heavy traffic section of the library, and were equipped with at least some filtering software, it would be fairly unlikely that people would spend too much time viewing inappropriate sites in public libraries.
no if its a public library then the public should be ready for what it has to offer
Then you get into the debate on what stuff do you filter? I agree pornographic sites should be blocked, but there are problems with filters. I’ve been on computers that won’t even let me access hotmail or something. Some content on xanga could be considered inappropriate for young kids…what if xanga was blocked????? Filtering can cause big problems on what is considered public domain and what sites would be considered inappropriate and blocked.
Dan, if he was able to, what about Arnold in 2008? Would he have a chance?
Just curious.
yes, if it’s things like pornography. either that or they should have a room for pornography veiwers to go in away from children and others who don’t want to see that stuff. but others things, such as blogs and chat rooms shouldn’t.
sure they filter everything else that’s public.
i.e. tv, radio, newspaper
maybe we should have a subscription type of library…members only? haha
Yes it’s a public place. You don’t have pictures of people naked and swearing at a daycare.
No… that is the parent’s responsibility
Yes.
Dan. I read your comments on gambling. I wasn’t saying that investing in the stock market is wrong, but rather that it’s ok.
Larry
yes, it is a public place.
some filters make it so that you cannot view some perfectly alright sites, which may or may not violate the freedom to information act, depending. at the same time, children and others should not be subjected to that kind of material if they choose not to be. If they accidentally run across it and it offends them, they could file a lawsuit against that library. Either way, it could end in a lawsuit.
But as a Christian, i believe that you should not view inappopriate material such as pornography, literotica, etc. That being said, i do believe they should put up filters.
Yes. In a library, it is public access, which means children could stumble across sites that they perhaps should not. So yes. If people want to look up porn, then they need to get net at home!
Your writing style reminds me of “Deep Thoughts” by Jack Handy on SNL. Do you remember them? They were random ideas narrated by someone with a very deep, profound voice.
I sure wouldn’t want kiddie porn being accessed at the public library.
Yes. It’s a public library. You can stop some little kid from waltzing inside and suddenly noticing some sick stuff popping up on someone’s screen. If someone wants to see something other people shouldn’t see, or something that other people don’t want to see, they should find someplace else to get it. Not a library. A library is a place for resources, like books.
Do you visit all the sites of the people who visit you?
Mary
RYC: I am, I just put up a new post apparently while you wrote that comment.
yes
but the restriciton should be limited to porn and thats about it. censoring anything else restricts freedom of speech
ugh… I just had to write an unneccessarily long paper on this subject. my view: necessary evil.
No. My school has a filter, but I can’t even get on GOOGLE! It’s so frikin’ annoying! I do have a hacker friend that gave me a password to get pass the filter. That’s another thing. I don’t think that teachers should get access to get pass the filter at my school. What would be more horrifying than being a 2nd grader, and catching your teacher masturbating! That would scar anybody for LIFE!
But about the library, there should be supervision, but no filters.
um let’s see…. NO the goverment is taking away our freedom by giving itself accsess to our private information, like what we check out and what sites we visit online. I know that this is early but it is Wednesday and I am going to get ready for bed so… My cousin and her daughters need prayers, Today was the funeral for her 6 month old daughter. Her and her older girls need strength and peace, along with the rest of my family, I would greatly appreciate them- Heather
Oh hey my answer is for both this and the last post, I don’t think that libraries should have filters and I don’t think that the goverment should be allowed to see the books we check out.
ryc: hahaha ya i’m so excited. joel fixed the problem early this afternoon. woohoo!!!
have a good day =)
No. I don’t believe in filtering for several reasons. The first is obvious. The second is because they don’t work right.
I used to work at a place where key words were blocked from access. I was researching human evolution and typed in the species “Homo neanderthalis”. It blocked me because I typed in homo.
Here are some other filtered searches that were stupidly blocked.
Trilobite (extinct invert.), Cummingtonite (a mineral), pussy willow, Tyranosaurus rex, cynobacteria, primordial, Zues, Hera, and pudding….yes pudding, I have no idea why!
Assuming the ultimate goal is to prevent kids from viewing inapproriate stuff, then yes, filters are allowable. The problem with filters is that they are not perfect–they can block valid research sites. The “computers in public places” is a much better solution–preferably, public places that are visible from the librarians’ desk(s).
no. filters dont work that well in the first place, and they often filter legit content. doesnt the library have “romance novels” anyways? if a kid wanted to find adult content, he/she doesnt need the internet.
im pretty anti-censorship as it is, i wont go into all those reasons besides the ones i listed.
Yes
Yes. People are probably visiting sites that shouldn’t even be allowed on the Internet. I know I’ve seen someone on a site like that. Some of the people before me said because of the children, but I think that they should filter for the adults as well.
yes, because, otherwise, you’d have some jackasses looking at porn with kids walking by! sad, but true.
Yeah please. I didn’t come to the library to see your left behind porn, I came to do my english essay.
yes material might be offensive to others
At first I thought no…but then it occured to me that someone could leave something objectionable on the screen and walk away and some kid could come up and check it out…so for that reason I say yes…but not so much that you cant use the public computer to do fun stuff like update your blog and check your yahoo mail like corporate firewalls do to keep you from goofing off.
In our library there is no filter, we have people doing all kinds of searches, reading there e-mail and also looking at porn. We had one patron masturbating, kinda gross I don’t think he will be back.
Yes. One can look up anything at his/her own computer.
If you absolutely have to, you could ask a librarian.
Yep
Yes. It is a public place and there is no reason for patrons of a library to be exposed to smut in a public library. Tax payers shoudl not subsidize someone’s smut obsession, bomb making activities or drug activities.
I would say ‘no’, because our school filter doesn’t let us access more innocent places like deviantART or Fanfiction.net, while some more adult-oriented stuff manages to slip by.
There should still be stuff blocking more explicit sites, though, but the effectiveness of it . . . hmm.
x__Stephany
Let me rephrase the question: should we pay taxes to have computers put in libraries so that horny people can go look at pornographic smut?
yess sir.
hmm… filtering never works anyway, it just makes the computers harder to use for practical stuff… like xanga.
if it worked. sure. i dont think they have an obligation to, but its a nice gesture.
no
Yes, and please.
YES!
((( GRANDMA HUGS )))
Lori
Sure. It’s their computers. And unless you can filter the CHILDREN using them… absolutely!
If there is free internet access, if you can prove your over 18 then you should have access to everything. Kids looking at porn is against the law on paper. If they want to see it bad enough, they will find a way, just not w my taxdollars! Thats it though, to uphold the law where the computer is, everything else is game, its a library!
no, though some people should realize that the library is not the place to surf porn.
Yes
Yes
Yes
yes
yes
Yes. They ‘filter’ the books, magazines, and music they carry, why not the electronic content?
yes, but only because it’s a public place where children are allowed to be and they could see something that isn’t appropriate. a library should be a place everyone should go.
Definitely. Children use those computers, so there should be limits.
Yes … cause it is public … you want extras pay for it yourself.
Hi Dan!!!
Where children have access? Yes, of course.
I have no problem with it, although some ofthe filtters can be annoying when they cut out stuff that is perfectly fine.
That WOULD insure that only terrorists that are wealthy enough to afford internet access at home would be able to access potentially dangerous information.
So, I would say yes. If I am going to be attacked by terrorists, I want them to be terrorists of means instead of bums.
Or were you talking about filtering for porn only?
L,r
I work for a University library. This has been an issue before with us. Even young children still come to our library for computer use and other materials. Everyone has access to anything on the computer, including adult material. However, we’ve been told as employees to notify those that are offended by this kind of content of those who are looking at it, to move away from everyone toward the back of the room, etc. We do not block this kind of content for reasons that could be “research.” A public library is more family oriented, but I don’t think that they should block everything, even if I don’t agree with the idea. People who do not have computer access, has a right to look at what they want – separate rooms or away from others might be a good idea to keep children from seeing it so easily. But my personal opinion-kids are going to find a way somehow to look at anything that might be inappropriate for them…whether they are at home, at school or at a friend’s house.
It depends on what it is. If its strictly adult content, then I think it should be OUT of librarys. But if its just general things, No. Not everyone has internet access. besides, you can get read ANYTHING online. Librarys would go out of business if that happened. But this is assuming we’re not speaking of adult things.
No. Most filters suck and block out silly things that shouldn’t be blocked. Porn shouldn’t be aloud in public libraries, but that’s as far as I think it should go. And by porn I only mean things that are strictly sexual. Anatomy is something completely different.
i’m not really sure… although the idea of people searching porn at a public library is disturbing to say the least
Porn and shit like that has no place in the public library.
Everything else is okay
Do libraries filter the topic matter of the books that they have on their shelves? For example, I doubt that you would find “Dr. Jones guide to skinning live puppies” on your libraries shelves. It would be censored. Hence, it is then justified to limit what folks can access on the web.
i think the computers in the childrens department shoudl be filtered, but otherwise, i mean ur in public, and you should make ur own judgement. sometimes the filters are too strong and they wotn let you access what you need to, like say you’re doing a project on sexual health. it wont let you go to any of the sites because of the reference to sex.
Yes, but they should use a good filter that works well. I heard about a bill saying that porn websites have to end in “.xxx” instead of “.com” or whatever. That seems like a smart thing, but I guess that doesn’t really apply to the question. My answer is yes, though.
Ha ha–it’s a question to which I believe there is already an answer.
Yes, the institution should have that power, but I believe the Federal Court upon around Chicago ruled that a library could not “infringe on its patrons’ civil liberties” by keeping them from getting pornographic or adult material at library computer. Lovely…
i dont think that any information should be filtered or edited out to protect people. we all see the real world…why cant we watch it? or read it…
No,
becouse hell, my library has a filter and I could not even get on my xanga site from it. I also could not use my AIM acount to check my E-mails. So I give a big NO to filtering content in public libraryies!!!!
Spirk
yes!
Yes for the same reasons schools do it. If you are searching something up on Besty Ross for insance, what if there is a porn star with the same first or last name. Do you want someone to accidentally click that link and bring up a bunch of porn?
yeh!because if kids go and whatch nasty stuff!!!!!!
Jenny was so happy about the house they had found. For once in her life ’twas on the right side of town. She unpacked her things with such great ease. As she watched her new curtains blow in the breeze. How wonderful it was to have her own room. School would be starting; she’d have friends over soon. There’d be sleep-overs, and parties; she was so happy It’s just the way she wanted her life to be. On the first day of school, everything went great. She made new friends and even got a date! She thought, “I want to be popular and I’m going to be, Because I just got a date with the star of the team!” To be known in this school you had to have clout, And dating this guy would sure help her out. There was only one problem stopping her fate. Her parents had said she was too young to date. “Well I just won’t tell them the entire truth. They won’t know the difference; what’s there to lose?” Jenny asked to stay with her friends that night. Her parents frowned but said, “All right.” Excited, she got ready for the big event But as she rushed around like she had no sense, She began to feel guilty about all the lies, But what’s a pizza, a party, and a moonlight ride? Well the pizza was good, and the party was great, But the moonlight ride would have to wait. For Dan was half drunk by this time. But he kissed her and said that he was just fine. Then the room filled with smoked and Dan took a puff. Jenny couldn’t believe he was smoking that stuff. Now Dan was ready to ride to the point But only after he’d smoked another joint. They jumped in the car for the moonlight ride, Not thinking that he was too drunk to drive. They finally made it to the point at last, And Dan started trying to make a pass. A pass is not what Jenny wanted at all (and by a pass, I don’t mean playing football.) “Perhaps my parents were right….maybe I am too young. Boy, how could I ever, ever be so dumb.” With all of her might, she pushed Dan away: “Please take me home, I don’t want to stay.” Dan cranked up the engine and floored the gas. In a matter of seconds they were going too fast. As Dan drove on in a fit of wild anger, Jenny knew that her life was in danger. She begged and pleaded for him to slow down, But he just got faster as they neared the town. “Just let me get home! I’ll confess that I lied. I really went out for a moonlight ride.” Then all of a sudden, she saw a big flash. “Oh God, Please help us! We’re going to crash!” She doesn’t remember the force of impact. Just that everything all of a sudden went black. She felt someone remove her from the twisted rubble, And heard, “call an ambulance! These kids are in trouble! Voices she heard…a few words at best. But she knew there were two cars involved in the wreck. Then wondered to herself if Dan was all right, And if the people in the other car was alive. She awoke in the hospital to faces so sad. “You’ve been in a wreck and it looks pretty bad.” These voices echoed inside her head, As they gently told her that Dan was dead. They said “Jenny, we’ve done all we can do. But it looks as if we’ll lose you too.” “But the people in the other car!?” Jenny cried. “We’re sorry, Jenny, they also died.” Jenny prayed, “God, forgive me for what I’ve done I only wanted to have just one night of fun.” “Tell those people’s family, I’ve made their lives dim, And wish I could return their families to them.” “Tell Mom and Dad I’m sorry I lied, And that it’s my fault so many have died. Oh, nurse, won’t you please tell them that for me?” The nurse just stood there-she never agreed. But took Jenny’s hand with tears in her eyes. And a few moments later Jenny died. A man asked the nurse, “Why didn’t you do your best To bid that girl her one last request?” She looked at the man with eyes so sad. “Because the people in the other car were her mom and dad.” This story is sad and unpleasant but true, So young people take heed, it could have been you.
READ AND PASS ON TO AT LEAST 10 PEOPLE
Please listen to this angel’s request……
If you do the small favor she asks to come true, She will be sent down to guard and protect you.
Please….do it for Jenny.
Send ten copies and see what happens in four days. You will get a surprise. This is true, even if you are not superstitious.
Good luck, but please remember: 10 copies of this message must leave your hands in 24 hours……………………………
NO SEND Back’s
Nice site. Anyways, I think that there should be a special section in the library for computers for adults only. People complain about sexually explicit material on computers not being appropriate for public libraries, yet I myself have come across some very sexually graphic novels in the library that any kid could pick up. Isn’t that just as bad? If those novels are allowed in the library, the equivalent should be viewable on a computer in some area in the library.
No. Because when you sign up to use a computer, it says NO PORNO SITES ALLOWED.
So, obviously, if you are using a computer, you can read. You shouldn’t be on anything bad anyway. If a neighbor saw you looking at porn on the library computers, you wouold never live that reputation down.
Sorry to seem harsh.
Yours,
Dave
Nope.
I know people think it’s so irresponsible….but if you would spend some time with your kids, instead of shipping them to this lesson and that camp and this practice for whatever sport you wish you played, and maybe taught them your values, and how to be good in life, they wouldnt be such snot nosed shots.
Not to you personally Dan. People in general.
to filter pornigraphic materials, yes. To filter out other ideas and opinions, no way!!
No, why should the government be able to control what I see? If I’m paying tax dollars, I should be able to do what I like with the computers. Also, what’s to keep the government from blocking political websites that they find objectionable?
at the library i work at the policy is no filtering. you are allowed to look at whatever you want…as long as your computer does not face the children’s area. oh and as long as there are no sexual images involving little kids.
I believe they reserve that right.
Nope. What we see on the internet is what life is all about. Kids nowadays just have to learn and cope with it.