Columnist won’t vote for a library bond until
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The Gilroy Dispatch reported on Saturday, Sept. 22, that the city plans to spend $20,000 to survey residents to see if we will support a bond measure to build a new library. They need not survey me: I will not support one until hell freezes over or the library adopts a policy prohibiting minors from accessing pornography on library Internet terminals.
Now, if you, dear reader, are stunned to learn that our local library does not filter the children’s access to the seamier side of the Internet, if you took it for granted that any reasonable person would, you obviously have moved here since 1999, when the three-year Battle of Library Net Porn ended in a draw.
It began in Oct/Nov. 1996. The Internet was installed in county libraries. Matthew Drummond voiced his concerns to me. “Oh, Matthew'” I pooh-poohed him. “The librarians would never let kids be exposed to porn in the library.”
By December we were seeing our first incidents of obvious minors accessing pornography in libraries. To my shock, the librarians did nothing to stop them. Even my favorite children’s librarian, Linda Glawatz, told me, “The child has a right to look at whatever he wants. Please respect the privacy of the child.”
n Feb. 28, 1997 Some concerned parents presented a letter Gilroy and Morgan Hill Libraries regarding the need to comply with CA Penal Code 313, which states that no entity may exhibit, display or distribute harmful matter to minors. 10 signatures.
n Mar. 18, 1997 Libraries responded citing ALA Policy: “All materials to all patrons, regardless of age.”
n Mar. 26, 1997 Parents attended a Library Commission meeting and brought up the issue of Library Net porn in pubic comment. 120 signatures. We decided to call ourselves KIDS, Keep the Internet Decent and Safe for Kids, a name I always detested, but majority rules.
n Apr. 6, 1997 We responded to library’s letter, including National Law Center Legal Opinion.
n In April and May, we attended various Library Commission meetings, with increasing numbers of signatures (561.) Gilroy Library Commission voted unanimously to uphold open access to all patrons regardless of age.
n May 18, 1997 Sandi Zappa and Matthew Drummond took a police officer to Gilroy Library to demonstrate that illegal material is readily available on children’s terminals. Officer was appalled and took a report. Asst. DA Karyn Sinunu verified that material was illegal (obscene), but no victim, no crime.
June and July: More meetings. Signatures increased from 1200 to 1600 to 2000. More speakers at each meeting, up to 50, the vast majority on our side. More publicity, including MSNBC Site interview, CNN interview, Jim Lehr News Hour interview
n July 21, 1997 Asked Gilroy City Council to consider withdrawing from JPA
n July 24, 1997 Picketed Milpitas, Alum Rock, Morgan Hill, and Gilroy Libraries. More signatures from those cities.
n July 28, 1997 Library engaged Markkula Center to pretend to research the issue.
n July 31, 1997 Picketed Los Altos, Cupertino, Saratoga, and Campbell Libraries. More signatures from those cities.
n Oct. 6, 1997 Markkula Report released. Recommended maintaining open access, not listening to protesters any more. More meetings, more brush offs.
Nov. 4, 1997 Election Day. Two JPA members who favored open access and were expected to be re-elected lost.
n Jan. 22, 1998 JPA meeting. Internet Task Force given mission to research solutions. They dilly-dallied until March. We kept picketing and speaking at meetings.
n Mar. 16, 1998 Internet Task Force recommended filter children’s side plus one adult terminal, introductory screen with policy, patron must agree to use, children not limited to filtered terminals.
Apr. 15, 1998 KIDS members testify before Local Gov’t Subcommittee, Ca. State Assembly. Bill passed.
Apr. 23, 1998 JPA voted to filter children’s side.
July 27, 1998 Filters installed. Surprise bonus: adult side terminals offer choice of filtered or non-filtered access. Unfortunately, children are not required to use filtered terminals. And if a patron complains that a child is viewing pornography, she is very apt to be told that the child has a right to view whatever he wishes, and that she should respect the privacy of the child.
And until a policy that complies with state law is adopted, I am not going to support my local library. Period.
Cynthia Anne Walker is a homeschooling mother of three and former engineer. She is a published independent author. Her column is published in The Dispatch
every week.
