Dr. Laura confusion

[Lisa Handelman <lisahandelman@ADATARIEL.ORG>]

Hello all:

I have to say that I am not sure where to stand on the issue of access
to internet pornography in public libraries.  Personally, I think Dr.
Laura is a pompous, self-righteous sort who is unfortunately using her
radio pulpit unwisely by attacking a decent organization whose agenda is
clearly NOT advocating pornography for children.

However, I have recently spoken to our local public librarian (Los
Angeles) who is truly disgusted with the way she has to offer her useful
internet access computers to lowlifes who troll the internet looking for
free porn or, even worse, child porn.  She has been reduced to politely
suggesting to men (who could not care less about who sees what they do)
to perhaps go and purchase a dirty magazine instead of taking time on
library computers for this purpose.  But she has no mandate to remove
these people if they sign up properly for their 20 minutes of internet
use.  She sincerely told me that it is so upsetting to her that she has
considered quitting the Los Angeles County system and moving to a
private school.  I am sure that this behavior is not rampant everywhere,
but when it does happen, it feels pretty bad to a librarian who got into
this business to serve a certain consituency proudly.

I don't appreciate Dr. Laura's rampage against ALA, but she should not
be dismissed entirely.

Lisa Handelman
Librarian
Adat Ari El Day School
N. Hollywood, CA

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