Library Porn Is Subject of ACLU Lawsuit

Freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom...to watch pornography at a public library?

The American Civil Liberties Union is suing a state of Washington library district for blocking access to porn on its computers. The policy means that Web sites such as Google images and YouTube are affected by the blackout.

The ACLU contends in its lawsuit, brought on behalf of three individuals and a nonprofit, that the pornography prohibition prevents library users from accessing information online.

Libraries should not limit the opportunity of adults to view research articles and other lawful materials, ACLU of Washington legal director Sarah Dunne said in a statement.

While other libraries in Washington state have allowed users to access porn, the North Central Regional Library District maintains that it is improper.

If we take the filter off there is nothing between us and someone who wants to use a library computer to access child pornography or other illegal and inappropriate material, North Central Regional Library director Dean Marney wrote, in a statement. 'We are a publicly funded institution...It is crazy to think that we should be required to use tax dollars to allow open access to internet pornography or to become illegal casinos.

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