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London Library Allowing Pornography on Public Computers

By Patrick B. Craine

LONDON, Ontario, October 7, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The London Public Library (LPL) in London, Ontario, is embroiled in controversy over its internet policies, which currently allow users to access pornography on the public computers.

London city councillor Cheryl Miller is insisting that patrons should not to be subjected to offensive material at the library against their will, according to Macleans.  "Canadians have a constitutional right to say, 'I don't want to see or hear that sexualized material,' " she said. "And in this library, they don't have that right."

The London library is the same that responded several years to ago to drug use on its premises by installing syringe disposal units in convenient locations.  The library has also been criticized in the past by pro-life advocates for circulating books promoting homosexuality and pornography.

Earlier this year, the LPL removed the internet filters from certain computers, in adult sections of the library, after they had been threatened with a lawsuit by a group advocating freedom of expression.  The filters remain on computers dedicated for teens and children.

The debate was refuelled in August, however, after a 71-year-old man was caught viewing and printing child pornography at the central branch.

Councillor David Winninger, who is also the Library Board Chairperson, explained that the filters were removed following legal advice indicating that they were unconstitutional.  "We did have filters on the computers for a period of time," he told Macleans.  "Then we received a letter notifying us that the filters were unconstitutional under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms."

According to Winninger, the filters also excluded "legitimate" information relating to "sex education or birth control."

While library officials maintain that complaints on this issue are few because pornography viewers are generally discreet, some patrons have expressed anger at being bombarded with pornographic images while trying to use the computers.

In a September 18th letter available on the library website, Susan Minns describes how, in August, "I found myself viewing porn at the London Central library."

"I happened to be sitting next to a bank of computers and one fellow, who was casually researching masturbating women," she writes.  "I didn't have to peer over his shoulder because it was on full display to anyone who walked or sat nearby."

When she complained to a librarian that there were children around, she was handed a complaint slip and told "there was nothing they could do."  The next day, library management told her, "Porn is not illegal."  Pointing out that pornography is illegal before 18 years of age, she writes that "youth are
permitted on the second floor where porn is not hidden," and "I had to move to get away from it."

"The library should be held just as accountable as the corner store concerning the display of porn," she argues.  "The London city libraries are no longer family friendly."

"I want to visit London libraries without being subjected to degrading images of women," she continues. "Our daughters should feel safe and should not find themselves seated next to an adult male scrolling porn."

Contact Information:

David Winninger (Library Board Chair)
Email: david.winninger@lpl.london.on.ca

Susanna Hubbard Krimmer (C.E.O.)
Email: susanna.krimmer@lpl.london.on.ca
Phone: 519-661-5143

London Public Library - Central
251 Dundas St.
London, Ontario
N6A 6H9

See related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:

Ontario Library Promotes Homosexuality, Installs Syringe Disposal Units
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2006/jan/06010603.html

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