Libraries must remain a place for unfiltered research

I remember struggling with what was right when I covered months of debate on whether Sno-Isle Libraries should allow unfiltered access on its computer terminals in 2003. As both newspaper reporter and mother, I felt conflicted rather than convicted of Americans’ first amendment right to freedom of the press in this situation.

Libraries had come to a crossroads. For decades, provocative books on the shelves were typically checked out. Now patrons were “checking out” something entirely unexpected at its computer terminals.

Then, the issue was brought to light after a Camano Island woman was visiting the Stanwood Library and her son and nephew inadvertently saw a young patron viewing pornographic material on the Internet as they were having their book choices scanned.

Many parents were unaware that an open door to pornography was available to their children at the place many had felt was harmless. Unfiltered access to the Internet was available at all its libraries to all ages.

A five-month campaign to change Sno-Isle polices ensued. Stephanie Constantine managed to collect more than 2,000 signatures on a petition by others who agreed with her to limit access to pornography.

The mission was not for complete censorship, but to block child pornography and hard-core obscenities to all library cardholders.

In the end, Sno-Isle Board of Trustees voted in favor of complete unfiltered access for library patrons 18 and over at all its locations. Filtering software was designed to work at any terminal, deciphering between full or restricted access by birth date. Minors, unless given written permission by a parent or guardian, and felons are blocked from access to any pornography site.

Last week, letter writer Carol Dawn Scott complained about going to the library after her friend noticed a man viewing pornography and making “funny noises” while she checked out her book selections. She poses the question, “Why is it OK that our tax money goes to provide free porn for any adult who wants to access it? And why oh why at our library?”

Why at the library I couldn’t agree with her more, but our tax money goes for a lot more than just providing Internet access, Sno-Isle Libraries lists 190 million articles, books and periodicals available within its system to any patron in good standing.

Although I find it in complete poor taste that anyone would choose a public place to view pornography, a library must remain a place for unfiltered research. If libraries were to choose anything different it could violate The Library Bill of Rights.

Adults have to be trusted to have the maturity to police themselves. The library should be a place to stimulate the mind and not anything else.

– Kelly Ruhoff

Editor