Boston Library -Reply

[Dan Lester]

>>> Grace Agnew <grace.agnew at ibid.library.gatech.edu>
02/26/97 11:11am >>>
I have personally seen, as well as heard, of patrons using
pornographic web sites to sexually harrass staff and patrons.
------------
But, that is a nonissue here.  You can prosecute or deal with
that as sexual harrassment, which it is.  We've had it happen
in our library (which, though while academic, it is public, and
anyone of any age can walk in...the actual harrassers were
HS guys who thought they were WAY cool).  It also has
happened in campus labs.  No need to censor, just deal with
the REAL issue.  
========================
We have ethical issues to face here, as well as EEOC
issues if we knowingly permit or even facilitate, the sexual
harrassment of employees.
------------------------------
Again, we facilitate that if we don't strip search patrons on
way in to be sure they don't have a hidden copy of Hustler to
harrass someone with, too.   What do you do if some jerk on
the subway is reading (well, looking at) Hustler next to you. 
Probably, assuming no other seats are available, try to ignore
it, or decide to stand elsewhere.  Do you think the subway is
going to grind to a halt for some official to deal with it?  Nope.

When we have to deal with things by Draconian measures,
you get Draconian results.  For example, those who've been
to Las Vegas in last twenty years have found that you're
assaulted (practically) by guys handing out color leaflets
advertising all sorts of sexual service, shows, etc.  Many
visitors have complained.  Near the convention center the
streets are literally PAVED with these things.  So, to solve
the problem, they just passed an ordinance that says NO
material may be handed out.  No announcements for the new
show at the city gallery, no promotions for ball games, no
passing out leaflets for your church, scout group, or anything
else.  Personally, I doubt it will hold up in court....but it will
be interesting.  
============
I am also aware of patrons using chat lines and listservs
(often seemingly innocuous chat lines, to do with Star Wars, 
MUDs, MOOS, etc) to attempt to meet children for sexual
purposes.   Are there not legal liabilities, as well as moral
issues, if we actually know our Internet workstations are put
to these uses and yet take no action? 
----------------------------------------
Not likely legal liabilities, though of course anyone can sue
anyone for anything.....moral, well, I don't think it is the job of
librarians to be guardians of the public morals.  We should be
prudent in our handling of public monies and trust, and that
may lead us in certain moral directions, I'll admit.  
=======================
Where does the library's responsiblity--legally *and* ethically
(which are not synonymous concepts)-- rest, when a library
computer is used to stalk or harrass a patron?  Is this a first
amendment issue, or is it the same issue libraries have
already wrestled with--safeguarding the stacks and
responding immediately to patrons phyiscally harrassing or
stalking patrons or staff?
------------------------------
Yeah, but.....WE don't do that.  We call the police or others
to handle it, just as we would if we were in some other public
place.  We can't stop it....but the police can make a
reasonable attempt.  And, I know what I'm talking about, as
I've personally dealt with flashers, stalkers, a mirror man,
guys carrying sidearms on their hips, as well as those
carrying illegal weapons, etc.
=========================
But the answer is more complex than simply citing the First
Amendment and writing the Mayor of Boston off as a right
wing twit.
====================
First amendment is only one of the issues that has been
raised.  Also, I've seen nothing hostile or "writing off" the
Boston mayor.  There have been suggestions that he
mighta/coulda/shoulda dealt with the library first, before doing
his public stuff.  And maybe he did...haven't seen a definitive
answer on that yet.  In fact, a number of us have recognized
the politically difficult situation that he's in, regardless of his
political or moral or ethical beliefs.

dan




Dan Lester, Network Information Coordinator
Boise State University Library, Boise, Idaho, 83725 USA
voice: 208-385-1235   fax:  208-385-1394
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"How can one fool make another wise?"   Kansas, 1979.