MINNEAPOLIS (BP)–Persisting in their efforts to counter pornography use at public library computer terminals, a group of 12 librarians has renewed a federal lawsuit alleging they have endured pornography addicts using taxpayer-funded computers to create an intimidating, hostile and offensive workplace since Internet access was installed five years ago.
The 12 female workers at the Minneapolis Public Library filed initial sexual harassment charges with federal and state agencies in 2000, but the case was left in limbo for three years until the Justice Department recently decided not to file suit.
The librarians filed the new suit in March, seeking damages of $400,000 each and a better work environment for staff.
Wendy Adamson, one of the 12 librarians, said her library became “sex central” and complained that security guards could not control the large number of pornography-addicted men and young boys who used the public computers to download all sorts of obscene images. The librarians began to feel unsafe and were regularly threatened by hostile men who refused to leave the computers, and who were showing obscene photos to children, according to the Traditional Values Coalition.
The Minneapolis Public Library’s Internet policy was revised in late 2000, and the Internet use guidelines were revised in January 2001.
But the librarians say the revised policy has not gone far enough because “a significant amount of pornography,” as described by the librarians’ attorney, Bob Halagan, still makes its way to the computer terminals. Halagan told American Libraries journal that the women continue to be concerned about “inadequate security” to address the “abusive, violent, and predatory behaviors” that can “accompany” pornography viewing habits.
Under the library’s policy and guidelines:
— The new Internet policy states in part, “Illegal use of the Internet is prohibited. Library users may not use the library’s Internet access to view, print, distribute, display, send or receive images, text or graphics of obscene material or material that violates laws relating to child pornography. Library users may not disseminate, exhibit or display to minors materials that are harmful to minors.”
— The revised Internet use guidelines state in part, “No person shall use a library workstation in a way that disturbs or interferes with users, employees or operations of the library. Patrons may not: a) View, print, distribute, display, send, or receive images, text or graphics of obscene materials or material that violates laws relating to child pornography. b) Disseminate, exhibit, or display to minors materials that are harmful to minors. c) Use an Internet workstation to transmit threatening or harassing material. d) Engage in any activity that is deliberately offensive or creates an intimidating or hostile environment.” The guidelines also call for a 60-minute time limit per user every six hours.
— The responsibility and authority of staff subtitle says, “Library employees are responsible for implementing the Internet Use Guidelines. Library employees are expected to take prompt and appropriate action to enforce the Internet Use Guidelines, and are authorized to terminate an Internet use session by anyone who fails to comply. Library employees may refuse to provide assistance to a patron if they believe that it will require them to view pornographic material on a computer display screen or in printed form, but then they must immediately request assistance from a supervisor, lead worker, or security staff.”
Congress attempted to solve such problems with the Children’s Internet Protection Act, but the American Library Association objected to the law, contending it would prohibit free speech and lead to censorship. The ALA also cited a problem with sensitive screeners that block access to educational websites such as those addressing breast cancer. Proponents of the act say screening technology has improved enough to solve those problems.
The Supreme Court is currently reviewing the protection act.
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