Screens to hide porn at libraries

The Pima County Board of Supervisors adopted that policy on Tuesday in response to concerns about viewing of online pornography at library branches.

But they postponed a decision on whether to require the use of filters on all computers, instead of just children's computers. They want to create a committee to study the issue, but they set no deadline for recommendations.

Supervisor Ray Carroll, who advocates mandatory filtering on all computers, called the postponement an attempt to kill any further action on the issue.

"I can't vote for something that looks like it will be tabled indefinitely," said Carroll, who raised the issue after television news reporters showed him footage of men viewing pornography at library computers.

Supervisor Ann Day also voted no.

But a majority of the supervisors said they want to study the issue further and promised they would look at it again.

"We've just taken over this library system," Supervisor Richard Elias said. "I think we need to rely on library professionals."

The supervisors said an ad hoc panel that includes librarians, computer experts, First Amendment lawyers and law enforcement representatives should study the issue before a decision is made.

The committee's meeting will be open to the public.

The supervisors said they also want to hear from the library's advisory board.

The supervisors voted to spend $40,000 on the privacy screens, which will extend outward on both sides of each computer monitor but will be open at the top, so someone could stand behind a computer user and look over his shoulder.

Library Director Nancy Ledeboer said the screens, her preferred option, also have the benefit of protecting private medical and financial information that users might be perusing.

Some members of the public backed the screens as well.

"It gives the monitor the same privacy as a book. They would prevent all of the episodes Supervisor Carroll cites," said Peter Vokac, who added that people shouldn't impose their views about obscenity on others.

But John Hein said individual rights shouldn't trump the common good, in this case protecting children from accidental exposure to pornography.

"Pornography is harmful," he said. "That's why we take steps to keep it out of the hands of children. We shouldn't be supporting it with our tax dollars or with our public policy."

Under the already existing policy, all children's computers have filters, and adults can choose whether to filter their Internet access. Computer users are not supposed to look at obscene material, child pornography or material harmful to minors, and those who do can be asked to leave.

Critics of filtering, including the American Library Association, say filters can block legitimate sites, especially those containing medical information, while pornography still gets through.

The Child Internet Protection Act requires libraries that accept discounted Internet rates to filter Internet access. While a 2003 Supreme Court decision upheld the law, the justices also said adults have First Amendment rights to access material. Many libraries have taken that to mean adults can choose whether to filter their own Internet access.

An opinion from the County Attorney's Office argued the board might be able to bar all pornography by claiming that the negative secondary effects — rather than the actual content — justified the ban.

Such reasoning has been used to restrict adult theaters and sex shops, and it was the tack Carroll wanted to take. He said the First Amendment concerns were misplaced.

"I believe the First Amendment guarantees free speech, not free porn," he said.

Carroll said he was disappointed that other board members didn't see the issue as urgent.

"Their cover is going to be these privacy screens," he said. "Now we're paying another $40,000 so people can look at pornography at the library."

In Washington, House votes to fight online gambling

The legislation, approved 317-93, would prohibit the use of credit cards to pay for losses in Internet games of chance.

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