The city will not install pornography-filtering software onlibrary computers, but instead will make the monitors more difficultto be seen by nearby children, officials said Tuesday.
The discussion was sparked by an incident in December whenparents complained that a patron at the Chinatown library wasviewing pornography on a public computer, in plain sight of childrennearby.
"It was material that offended the parents and they wereconcerned about what we were doing to respond in a manner so peoplefeel safe in the library," Councilman Ed Reyes said.
Officials reviewed the system's computer policy but decidedagainst restricting content.
"It's a slippery slope between First Amendment rights andshutting off computers," City Librarian Martin Gomez told the CityCouncil, adding that it is parents' responsibility to monitor theirchildren's use of the library.
However, libraries are working to move computers so they cannoteasily be seen by someone standing behind the user, and installingprivacy shields to limit visibility, Gomez said.
Councilman Paul Krekorian insisted the city should look atfiltering software.
"I think we can use that and have people ask our librarians tounblock it for them," he said.
Krekorian was told there are problems with the various programsas well as court rulings allowing adults access to all informationavailable on the Internet.
Library officials said they usually receive fewer than a half-dozen complaints a year about pornography on public computers.
Councilman Tony Cardenas said there are a number of court casespending regarding computer access at public libraries.
The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled it is constitutional for schoolsand libraries to have filters on computers to limit access tocertain sites.
rick.orlov@dailynews.com
213-978-0390
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