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October 2005

FACT SHEET on Ft. Vancouver Library Pornography

by Margaret Tweet

Internet users 17 and up are still permitted to view and print [10 copies free] pornography on unfiltered computers.  Over half of FVRL public computers are unfiltered, some near a wall, often just a few feet from filtered computers. The bond would add 100 computers with no commitment to how many might be filtered.

 Illegal child pornography and illegal obscenity are still not consistently blocked.

Users are directed to refrain from accessing illegal materials which are available on unfiltered computers.  Employee guidelines direct staff not to monitor Internet use. Complaints of illegal computer access have been filed in FVRL, King County, Spokane, and Timberland including arrests (Tumwater, WA and Chehalis, WA). In January 2002, KPTV news reported, a middle school teacher with her class saw a man viewing  child pornography and graphic rape scenes on Multnomah Co. library Internet computers.

 The following are excerpts from federal court transcripts from March 2002 where former FVRL Associate Director Candace Morgan testifies on library Internet access.

Q:  There are rules against patrons accessing illegal speech on the Internet, How do you go about enforcing that rule?

A: The policy specifically states that it is the patron’s responsibility. Pg 36

A: It would be impossible to monitor that given the recessed monitors. Pg 37

 Q:  "Your policy is just plug in the (Internet) service and essentially tell patrons, 'Don't break the law,' is that correct?" asked Timothy Zick, a Justice Department attorney. A:  Yes,’ replied Candace Morgan, 3-26-02, AP story.

 Q: It’s your testimony that I have a right to look at those websites and any others like them in your library, right? (Hot teen Pussy, Live Strip shows, Houston Gang Bang, Adult Hard Core, Live Adult Sex shows.)

A: Yes it is. Pgs. 75

 The rules and procedures for Internet access for those 17 and up are essentially the same today as in 2002. Computers have been moved in some branches. 

Examples of libraries that filter Internet access and/or prohibit porn surfing:

 Tacoma Public Libraries (10 branches) have filtered out pornography since 1998.  If a legitimate site is wrongly blocked, the filter can be temporarily lifted. All except one of about 150 computers are filtered. Tacoma library documented that more attempts to circumvent library policy were made on a hidden recessed screen than on desktop computers. Computers are on desktops. http://www.tpl.lib.wa.us/v2/USING/Net.htm

Puyallup Public Library also filters Internet access for all users.

North Central out of Wenatchee (27 branches)  Filtered access is automatic and computers are on desktops in full view of library personnel. “The viewing of sexually explicit graphic images is inappropriate for a public library environment and will be stopped immediately” according to library policy.

 Phoenix—After police arrested a child molester who said that he had downloaded child pornography on a  library computer, the city acted to help prevent future problems.

"The computers in Phoenix's libraries now filter all Web sites that are classified as pornographic, and, unlike before, residents no longer have the option of having an unfiltered Internet session."  www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/northphoenix/articles

 List of filtering libraries at www.freedomatrisk.org/filteringlibrary/id3.html

Schools, youth centers, many govt. offices and businesses filter out Internet porn.

 

Recent FVRL History

1997 through 2004 – FVRL staff and board of directors supported the distribution of pornography, even to minors.  Citizens objected to this policy via public hearings, petitions and letters. Public records of complaints by library visitors about obscene and even illegal screens, behaviors, and printouts in various areas of the library and “Playboy” for minors have been made through 2005. Summaries of complaints are available at http://lifepac.org/libraries/complaints.htm

 End of year 1999 -- Monitors were recessed into desks with hoods on top to reduce the number of complaints about objectionable pornography.

 2000 -- Congress passed the Children’s Internet Protection Act [CIPA] requiring schools and libraries to filter illegal obscenity and illegal child pornography on Internet as a condition for federal funding.  Also, matter deemed “harmful to minors” [pornography] must be blocked.  An exception to lift filter for user 17 and older for bona fide research and lawful purposes was allowed.

 2001 - CIPA law was challenged by ACLU and American Library Association [ALA]. Former FVRL Assoc. Director Candace Morgan testified against CIPA in US Senate and federal court. FVRL and many staff are ALA members, some dues paid by taxpayers.

“Morgan chaired the American Library Association's intellectual freedom committee for four years and was president of the Freedom to Read Foundation, founded by the ALA, for three years.”        Columbian 1-19-04 

2002- under Morgan’s leadership, the Freedom to Read Foundation fought another law, the Child Pornography Prevention Act, with a coalition of pornographers.  

June 2003 -- CIPA upheld as constitutional by US Supreme Court, despite efforts of ALA, Freedom to Read Foundation, ACLU, and FVRL staff.

 August 2003 -- Library finally filters out Internet porn for minors 12 and under.

 March 9, 2004 -$48 million Library bond is defeated in Greater Vancouver.  

April 2004- Library starts to automatically filter pornography for minors 16 and under.  The basic filter does not block out chat, drugs, criminal skills, gambling, hate, and R-rated.  A special request must be made for enhanced filters to block these.

 June 2005- Unsubscribed to Playboy magazine. It’s still available on Internet.