As the Crown Heights playground weed smoking debate continues on Brooklynian and in the comments over at Brownstoner, the Pacific Branch Public Library Porn Discussion is still going on at the Park Slope Parents Group. Is it okay for people to look at porn in the library? Does the First Amendment end when lewd acts can be seen by one’s five year old? The debate is fascinating. We will start with this:
I are am sorry but to me porn in the library is not acceptable! yes, freedom of speech is a founding principle of this country but I still find it extremely inappropriate to view porn in a public place. And what usually happens when you watch porn? what’s the purpose? sexual arousal and masturbation, right? would that be ok with you to witness that in a public place?? I am more concerned about protecting my children’s innocence as much as possible than letting some guys satisfy their urges in the name of freedom of speech…
Then, there’s this take:
I don’t think we should restrict porn by any means but I have no problem restricting WHERE porn is OPENLY viewed. I mean….what is the point of porn? It isn’t the aesthetic study of the human body…..it is to get turned on. I think there are appropriate places to masturbate….at least that is what I tell my four year olds. If porn is necessary information we need to have out in the open, then why isn’t Hustler out on my library’s magazine rack? I am sure there are articles that my husband would like to read that he has no free access to. Kids can just turn their heads they way they do in the subway magazines kiosk away from the cover of Juggs. If we agree we cannot limit porn in public libraries because it is comparable to the patriot act and the end of our democratic society, then maybe we need public libraries to provide privacy rooms (in the old days before Times Square was cleaned up, people used to have to pay to use those rooms).
And this angle:
And next someone will be wanting to strip the shelves of Lolita and Huckleberry Finn. It’s my job as a parent to mediate my child’s experiences. We can’t shield them from everything and I’d rather have to spend an awkward time trying to explain something to my nine year old than live in a society that prohibits my freedom of expression and access to information. The public library, (like the public school) is one of the foundations of a democratic society and everyone should be able to get what they need from it, whether I approve of it or not.
And this one:
I once cursed loudly in front of Independence Hall in Philadelphia because of the long lines and hot weather and was reprimanded by a Federal Park Ranger! Where the Declaration of Independence and Bill of Rights were signed! My son learned a lesson that day, while I lectured the Park Ranger about First Amendment rights. There’s a reason that Freedom of Speech is the *First* Amendment. In my opinion, it takes priority over just about everything else. And in the long run, I believe the sanctity of that right will be more valuable to my son than protection from accidental exposure to inappropriate sexual material.
And this:
The real issue here is not whether adults have the Constitutional right to read/watch/listen to anything they wish, but rather, whether taxpayers who support public library systems around the country should be obligated to pay for that right. Library shelves do not stock Playboy or other adult periodicals, and as far as I know the ACLU has not been banging down their doors in outrage over this apparent slight…
And we wrap with this:
Yes there is freedom of speech however, it is ensconced in the idea that it does not impede another person’s freedom. Pornographic magazines sold in stores must be behind a cover why should pornography on a screen at a public library not be behind a cover. Seeing pornography in a public library is rude, and if not illegal should be. I do not expect to see pornography at a library and I am sure everyone else does. If my child happens to see it I am being forced to discuss a topic that I may not be ready to discuss.
One of the more spirited recent debates.
9 responses so far ↓
1 S // May 13, 2008 at 1:39 pm
“If porn is necessary information we need to have out in the open, then why isn’t Hustler out on my library’s magazine rack? ”
In response to this, there is a substantial difference between what the library chooses to order for its patrons and what a patron chooses to see on their internet screen.
The library has control over what they carry – they do not have control over what people look at on the internet.
This is where the law is at the moment, according to the Supreme Court.
I am not an expert on the vagaries of the law and many municipalities continue to struggle with its implementation. While most of us who are reasonable see no problem requiring a patron to move a different computer terminal if their screen offends us, you have to realize that someone who is willing to watch porn in a public library may also be likely to not cooperate with library staff.
What do you do then? Arrest them? You can’t. It’s their right. Disgusting? I think so. Necessary? I think so. My definition of disgusting may be porn, someone else’s may be a liberal website. You can try to sue or pass a law involving the government in becoming a censor and judge of what you can look at and what you can’t – and people try all the time – but in almost all cases, you will lose. The system is designed the way it is for good reasons. Once the government gets involved in filtering one thing, they will soon get involved in another… and another… and another.
The benefits of a free press, freedom of speech, freedom of association… come with some pitfalls. You also have the freedom to try to change the system. That’s your right, too.
2 Melvil Dewey // May 13, 2008 at 2:27 pm
Please remove the “stock” images in your continuing posts of this topic.
Neither one of these two picturs were take in ANY Brooklyn Public Library building!
3 BPLEmployee // May 13, 2008 at 2:49 pm
The photo depicted at the top of this blog is NOT a BPL public computer monitor. The public computers in every branch library have black Dell monitors. In addition, the other photo posted is not a BPL public computer monitor either; it may be someone’s private laptop being used in the library with wifi connection.
4 wisco // May 13, 2008 at 2:53 pm
well, there just seems to be this growing trend (not recently but since i was a kid for sure) of vulgarity and lack of gentlemanly respect for women and children.
this issue just sparks off the anger underlying in our society of those who find this selfish behavior infuriating.
think it’s a societal thing rather than legal.
shouldn’t it be the job of men to take care of the women and children in their communities – not put them in harms way? well, for the men in my family, yes – for these mutants, no i guess.
5 Anonymous // May 13, 2008 at 3:42 pm
Ha! For those of you, dear readers, shocked by public masturbation or sex or whatever, obviuosly don’t ride the subways. It’s New York City. Get over it.
6 Mike D // May 13, 2008 at 4:14 pm
This also calls into question what these posters are defining as porn: Was it XXX or was it swimsuit celebs on TMZ.?
7 Doug // May 13, 2008 at 4:30 pm
I don’t know about other parents, but TV and radio news is far more upsetting. Try explaining why 50 soldiers just got blown up or hundreds of children are buried in earthquake rubble…
8 married to a smithee // May 13, 2008 at 5:02 pm
wisco, i think it’s the job of the men to go to work in a suit and the job of the women to stay in the kitchen and avoid public libraries. are the men in your family all alumni of the yale school of chivalry? je-sus, i don’t know what’s worse for feminism, you or pornography!
9 Janet // May 13, 2008 at 9:23 pm
Perhaps the library should be giving internet users more privacy, so the pages they’re viewing aren’t evident to every busybody who walks by. While I don’t look at pornography at the library or elsewhere, I wouldn’t want anyone looking over my shoulder while I surf.