Citizen complains about library "porn"

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) - A Virginia Beach woman is outraged by what she saw on a library computer screen.

"I happened to look over and saw a title... "Blonde Women" something or other... saw breasts showing and everything, and turned right back," said a concerned citizen, who asked WAVY.com not to reveal her identity.

The woman said she saw a suggestive image of a naked woman on another computer screen at Virginia Beach's Central Library. She said her family has had similar encounters in the past.

"My husband also had seen full blown intercourse on the computers and he said something," the woman told WAVY.com. "And nothing was done."

In both cases, the woman informed librarians, who told her viewing is considered free speech.

"Constitutionally protected speech is, even if some of us don't like it, it is constitutionally protected," said Marcy Sims, Director of Virginia Beach Public Libraries. "And, you have the right to look at it, or view it or read it."

The libraries' "Internet Use Policy" says the computers are equipped with filters that block the following:
- Child Pornography
- Obscenity
- Materials Harmful to Juveniles

But customers are permitted to view content considered "harmful to juveniles," if the customer uses a confidential computer, where the screen is below a surface, instead of out in the open.

"One of the options available to the librarian would be to ask the customer viewing the information that another customer finds offensive to move to a more private computer," Sims said.

Sims says if the computer filters allow the material, it's fair game for viewing. But, the policy troubles the concerned citizen.

"This is supposed to be a safe haven," the woman said. "We want our children to learn. We want them to be safe."

Sims said not everyone will be satisfied with the policies, but they aim to provide balance.

"I believe we have found a positive balance in protecting access to constitutionally protected material, and, at the same time, ensuring libraries are comfortable environments for everyone," Sims said.

Librarians do not have the authority to determine if something is technically "pornographic" or " obscene ."