OK, so it's illegal to be nude in public (much less have sex), and the library is a public building...how is this legal? Can kids in Seattle watch porn on their phones in school?

...I'm too young to be outraged at stuff like this, but DAM!

Chinchillazilla: "But what I find ironic is that you can't talk too loudly at the Seattle Public Libraries or you'll be asked to keep it down so as not to distract the other patrons. You know, the patrons viewing pornography."

Sounds like someone's bitter about having been told to keep it the fark down in the library.

/otherwise, valid complaint

There are certain points, when watching pornography, when you very much need the other people in the room to not be talking.

read this as "internal porn"

/rule 34

Solution is a box. Cut box and place on top so that there are sides and a top. That limits the the view to the user, that or those privacy things the sold for CRTs back in the day.

I've always wondered how libraries keep idiots from going to virus-infested sites (porn or otherwise) and infecting their computers. Using their own computer, people have to use some caution and common sense about the sites they visit, but anything goes when the computer belongs to the library. It seems like the next person to use the computer would have to deal with pop-ups for porn or malware removal scams.
I've used a lot of different virus protection software, and never had more than mediocre results. The software always seems good at letting me know when my computer is infected, but it sucks at preventing it from becoming infected in the first place.

You close down Rick's in Lake City and this is what happens...

"Hey! tTose tissues aren't free you know!"

I think most libraries are hurting for money. They should have an "adult area" with internet connections, kleenex etc....

BowtoMogul: "Hey! Those tissues aren't free you know!"


/FTFM
//first and last time I post without preview

Then again, maybe not.

"We conclude that the same discretion must be afforded a public library to choose what materials from millions of Internet sites it will add to its collection and make available to its patrons."

THIS!

Seattle PL system is being a dumbass.

/librarian

Tarmangani: I've always wondered how libraries keep idiots from going to virus-infested sites (porn or otherwise) and infecting their computers. Using their own computer, people have to use some caution and common sense about the sites they visit, but anything goes when the computer belongs to the library. It seems like the next person to use the computer would have to deal with pop-ups for porn or malware removal scams.
I've used a lot of different virus protection software, and never had more than mediocre results. The software always seems good at letting me know when my computer is infected, but it sucks at preventing it from becoming infected in the first place.

BEARS BEARS BEARS

gopher321: Whole lot of legal crap being thrown around in that article and not a lot of common sense. The guy refused to move when asked to? What a jackass.

I think the point is whether the library has to do anything. Legally I doubt it and I understand why they want to minimize the policing part of their job. She was welcome to call the police about it, and probably could have got him on public indecency or similar charges.

So, can one deduce from that stance the library has a magazine section to check out Playboy, Hustler, and Penthouse?

Of course the library can censor content...hence the word "Public" in their name.

If television stations broadcasting over public airways must censor their content, it stands to reason, just as their state Supremem Court decided on the issue, that libraries can and should censor objectionable (even if it is subjective) material.

This is ridiculous. How can publicly displaying pornography be legal? I can understand not wanting to censor information but this seems more like a common sense issue. I'll tell you what will stop this, someone suing the library for it.

The porno mags at the store have a band over the covers if a breast is exposed. But this guy can display hardcore porn wherever he wants to?

Tarmangani: I've always wondered how libraries keep idiots from going to virus-infested sites (porn or otherwise) and infecting their computers. Using their own computer, people have to use some caution and common sense about the sites they visit, but anything goes when the computer belongs to the library. It seems like the next person to use the computer would have to deal with pop-ups for porn or malware removal scams.
I've used a lot of different virus protection software, and never had more than mediocre results. The software always seems good at letting me know when my computer is infected, but it sucks at preventing it from becoming infected in the first place.

My impression is they don't care. Put DeepFreeze or something like it on the computer. So what if they get infected, the machine will be clean for the next user.

ReapTheChaos: This is ridiculous. How can publicly displaying pornography be legal? I can understand not wanting to censor information but this seems more like a common sense issue. I'll tell you what will stop this, someone suing the library for it.

Yeah, I don't understand it, either. It seems to me that he's committing a crime.

KeithGate: So, can one deduce from that stance the library has a magazine section to check out Playboy, Hustler, and Penthouse?

You can deduce from this stance that having Playboy/Penthouse/Hustler costs more money than not having them, while not purchasing filtering software licenses for the adult computers costs less money than buying them.

Of course the library can censor content...hence the word "Public" in their name.

There is a difference between censorship and allocation of resources. This is significant.

If television stations broadcasting over public airways must censor their content, it stands to reason, just as their state Supremem[sic] Court decided on the issue, that libraries can and should censor objectionable (even if it is subjective) material.

Spectrum is more scarce than land, and is a virtual rather than physical good. Inferring rules for one from rules for the other is not anything like 'standing to reason'. Further, may is not should. The Washington Supreme Court ruled that a library may filter patrons' Internet access. Of course, I suspect the case would have gone differently if the filtered objectionable material had been rnc.org or dnc.org, to take obvious examples.

Loren:Tarmangani: I've always wondered how libraries keep idiots from going to virus-infested sites (porn or otherwise) and infecting their computers. Using their own computer, people have to use some caution and common sense about the sites they visit, but anything goes when the computer belongs to the library. It seems like the next person to use the computer would have to deal with pop-ups for porn or malware removal scams.
I've used a lot of different virus protection software, and never had more than mediocre results. The software always seems good at letting me know when my computer is infected, but it sucks at preventing it from becoming infected in the first place.

My impression is they don't care. Put DeepFreeze or something like it on the computer. So what if they get infected, the machine will be clean for the next user.

OK, I hadn't heard of that. Makes perfect sense for a public setting like a library.

/nevermind....carry on

My local Library in Rockville, MD, becomes a homeless hangout in the winter. When I was in grad school I would go there to study and 1/3 of the chairs would be taken by sleeping or loud homeless guys who hadn't showered in months, usually using one chair to sit and another to prop their feet up on. They stole laptops and purses/bags, they watched porn on the computers while jerking off through their pockets, sometimes even ejaculating onto the floor, they would take magazines and jerk off in the restrooms moaning loudly, many times they would puke/poop all over the restroom, they would use the sinks as baths, use the air dryers to dry their naked balls/dicks (room would smell like nothing you've ever smelled before), they would say sexual things or talk sexually out loud to teenager girls nearby. Nobody would say anything to them, and the library's policy was the same as the one in the article. The cops would help by watching them then either arresting them or making them leave when they exposed themselves or tried to steal things. I quit going there to study, could hardly ever find a seat and the place smelled, I've heard it's gotten somewhat better.

profplump: Rich Cream: But this guy can display hardcore porn wherever he wants to?

This guy may be committing a crime, if he intentionally exposes children to pornography. And if he did commit a crime the library would kick him out and/or call the police. But the library is not committing a crime by allowing him to access pornography, nor is the viewer commit a crime simply by watching pornography in a public place.


Would I be allowed to open a centerfold and show it around the room?

Doink_Boink: My local Library in Rockville, MD, becomes a homeless hangout in the winter. When I was in grad school I would go there to study and 1/3 of the chairs would be taken by sleeping or loud homeless guys who hadn't showered in months, usually using one chair to sit and another to prop their feet up on. They stole laptops and purses/bags, they watched porn on the computers while jerking off through their pockets, sometimes even ejaculating onto the floor, they would take magazines and jerk off in the restrooms moaning loudly, many times they would puke/poop all over the restroom, they would use the sinks as baths, use the air dryers to dry their naked balls/dicks (room would smell like nothing you've ever smelled before), they would say sexual things or talk sexually out loud to teenager girls nearby. Nobody would say anything to them, and the library's policy was the same as the one in the article. The cops would help by watching them then either arresting them or making them leave when they exposed themselves or tried to steal things. I quit going there to study, could hardly ever find a seat and the place smelled, I've heard it's gotten somewhat better.

So you're saying you used to go to the BEST LIBRARY EVER??!

MythDragon: Then again, maybe not.
[media.tumblr.com image 500x375]

Gawd, how I hate this picture.

/Waits for snide remark...1, 2, 3...

flemardo: Solution is a box. Cut box and place on top so that there are sides and a top.

And then stick dick in?

profplump: ReapTheChaos: I can understand not wanting to censor information but this seems more like a common sense issue.

But the rub is, who gets to define "common sense" or "pornography"? Some folks would say that any book that contains a description of sex -- or God forbid, non-marital sex -- is pornographic and should not be allowed in the library, picture or otherwise, children or otherwise (though they'd always say "for the children"). And some would say that any description of sausage pizza is blasphemous and should not be allowed in the library, as it portrays the simultaneous consumption of meat and dairy, not to mention pork.

Given that we all have different ideas about what constitutes "offensive" material why on earth would you want the library -- as influenced by whoever complains the most about what their children see -- to make decisions about what should and should not be available?

Simply this, seeing as you have to be 18 to go into an adult book store and see pornography then you shouldn't be showing it publicly where anyone under that age could see it.

I love these women in the article.

"I'm all about freedom and not censoring and understand that it's a slippery slope argument, but...but...but... WON'T SOMEONE PLEASE THINK OF THE CHILDREN?!?!?!?"

clearly this can be argued all day long about censorship and free speech...and wether simply watching porn in a public library is crime, which I dont believe it to be. Is it in bad taste to openly watch porn in a public library... sure, but stupid, classless people are all over the place.

That said.. someone rubbing one out in the library.... yeah.. sorry.. thats illegal and id beat the sh*t out of someone if i caught them doing it.. whether my kids were with me or not... then I'd call the cops to have him arrested.

FTFA:

"But what I find ironic is that you can't talk too loudly at the Seattle Public Libraries or you'll be asked to keep it down so as not to distract the other patrons. You know, the patrons viewing pornography."

/brilliant

I stopped reading here:

"Howe, who was in the DVD section when she saw the man's screen, then asked him to move to another computer. He also refused."

If you go to a library for DVD's you deserve what you get, you knuckle-dragging Cretin...

"get mama's pryin' bar...!"

/sad

//also, can't you get a ticket for having porn visible from, say, your rear flip-down dvd player in your car?

profplump: Rich Cream: Would I be allowed to open a centerfold and show it around the room?

A) There's a difference between merely viewing in public and public performance or harassment.

Ok, I'm standing in the library with my back to everyone and I'm holding up an unfolded centerfold so I may view it, and also exposing it to general public view. (which I'm all for, mind you.)

I also never understood why computers and the internet makes previous laws obsolete. What's the difference between displaying a printed graphic and displaying a graphic on a monitor? Or why intercepting communications needed new privacy laws? etc


B) I can't comment on the specifics of laws concerning pornography or nudity in your jurisdiction. Honestly I don't understand why it should be treated any differently than someone doing the same thing with a religious pamphlet, but I'm sure there are places where it is illegal.

Part B₁ Ok, didn't need you to. I will be doing neither.

Part B₂ Seeing a bleeding, pleading, dying, crucified man doesn't offend as many people as a nice inner thigh.

Gonad the Ballbarian: I stopped reading here:

"Howe, who was in the DVD section when she saw the man's screen, then asked him to move to another computer. He also refused."

If you go to a library for DVD's you deserve what you get, you knuckle-dragging Cretin...

What's wrong with getting DVDs at the library? I get books, CDs, and DVDs there. They have a wide selection, and they're free. Are you one of those hipsters that's too educated to watch shows on the picture box?

/DVD's? DVD's what?

skrame: Gonad the Ballbarian: I stopped reading here:

"Howe, who was in the DVD section when she saw the man's screen, then asked him to move to another computer. He also refused."

If you go to a library for DVD's you deserve what you get, you knuckle-dragging Cretin...

What's wrong with getting DVDs at the library? I get books, CDs, and DVDs there. They have a wide selection, and they're free. Are you one of those hipsters that's too educated to watch shows on the picture box?

/DVD's? DVD's what?

No, it's just sad that a library has to resort to "Blockbuster-ing" to keep people coming in the door. Every week, I see more and more people in the DVD section while the stacks are virtually devoid of people.

More of a comment on society.

Gonad the Ballbarian: skrame: Gonad the Ballbarian: I stopped reading here:

"Howe, who was in the DVD section when she saw the man's screen, then asked him to move to another computer. He also refused."

If you go to a library for DVD's you deserve what you get, you knuckle-dragging Cretin...

What's wrong with getting DVDs at the library? I get books, CDs, and DVDs there. They have a wide selection, and they're free. Are you one of those hipsters that's too educated to watch shows on the picture box?

/DVD's? DVD's what?

No, it's just sad that a library has to resort to "Blockbuster-ing" to keep people coming in the door. Every week, I see more and more people in the DVD section while the stacks are virtually devoid of people.

More of a comment on society.

To each his own, I guess. I prefer to think that the punishment for borrowing a movie shouldn't be to see porn. Also, I have no problem with the different forms of media at the library.

/Except microfiche. Screw microfiche.

Tarmangani: I've always wondered how libraries keep idiots from going to virus-infested sites (porn or otherwise) and infecting their computers. Using their own computer, people have to use some caution and common sense about the sites they visit, but anything goes when the computer belongs to the library. It seems like the next person to use the computer would have to deal with pop-ups for porn or malware removal scams.
I've used a lot of different virus protection software, and never had more than mediocre results. The software always seems good at letting me know when my computer is infected, but it sucks at preventing it from becoming infected in the first place.

Two words, kiosk mode.

SevenYearHawk: You know how much money the average jizz-mopper makes per hour?

How much do you make an hour?