By Anne Jordan

Recently, a resident of the Maryland suburb where I live was disturbed to see a man printing out hardcore pornography from the public library’s Internet-connected computer system. When she complained to the librarian about this occurring just yards away from where children were sitting, she was told that his right to download pornography was protected by the First Amendment. Likewise, when she reported the activity to police, she was told that it was not a police issue.

Indeed, no crime was being committed. And the library says it is following guidelines from the American Library Association stating that “materials should not be removed or proscribed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval” and “libraries should challenge censorship in fulfillment of the responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.”

As a journalist, the wife of an America Online employee and the daughter of a librarian, I’d like to think I’m a supporter of the intellectual freedom all these occupations espouse. However, as the mother of two young boys who use that same library every couple of weeks, I confess to being concerned about whether they are ready to partake of all the “enlightenment” the library has to offer.

The Internet is the exception to the rule that librarians are able to hand-pick virtually all the materials that comprise their collections. Some of their selections are undoubtedly too conservative for some people and too liberal for others, but nobody expects to find Hustler magazine or X-rated videos on library shelves, even though they aren’t forbidden by law.

That’s because despite all their talk about freedom of speech, library officials generally have acted out of some sense of responsiveness and responsibility to the public good. Whether or not they like to think of it in terms of censorship, the simple fact is that librarians have always served as human “filters” and adopted policies and practices that are based on some notion of community standards.

In the online age, that function is more — not less — admirable. These days, however, many librarians seem to believe that the global reach of the Web means what goes on in their local branch is beyond their control. For a profession whose relevancy in the cyber-future is being called into question, that’s an inexpedient attitude to convey to citizens.

If technology has brought about these difficult issues, it is also available to address them. Installing high-tech filters or recessed privacy screens are a couple of options. Simply putting some computers in separate rooms could enable libraries and their “mature” patrons to have their beefcake and eat it, too. In any case, you’d think those who tout open-mindedness would be able to come up with some creative solutions.

Anne Jordan is managing editor of Governing.

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