Porn and the public library. That sound you hear is that of heels being dug in on both sides of the upcoming debate about whether computers at London Public Library should be filtered to bar access to "inappropriate" material on the Internet.
For both sides, porn 
Community activists led by Megan Walker have already persuaded a city council committee to recommend filters be placed on all computers at the library - not just those used by children - to prevent viewing of pornography. City council will consider the issue Aug.29.
Walker, executive director of the London Abused Women's Centre, links pornography to oppression of women and a threat to their safety and security.
After hearing her pitch, Mayor Joe Fontana conceded "a compelling case has been made." Other politicians applauded.
In Windsor, recent complaints about Internet viewing prompted the library board just last week to decide to review its policy of not filtering computers used by adults.
But even if London council asks the library to filter its computers, it can't order the move.
As Josh Morgan, chairperson of the London Public Library board, notes: "Council can ask us to do stuff, but we are an independent and autonomous board, and I think it's important for her (Walker) to present to us as well."
The library board, which next meets Sept.22, has been opposed to imposing any form of censorship on its patrons because libraries view themselves as unfettered "gateways" to information. Like most others, the library uses filters only on computers used by children.
As one writer described the prevailing view of librarians: "No matter how ill-conceived or well-intentioned the reason, any restriction on freedom of expression and the right to receive information constitutes censorship."
Libraries also draw some inspiration from the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights that says: "Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers."
Civil libertarians also oppose anything that disrupts the free flow of information.
Morgan said the issue is a tough one for libraries.
"We recognize this is something important to the community," he said. "It is a divisive debate and we have targeted it as a priority for review on an annual basis," he said. Such a review occurs every November.
Library figures show few complaints about viewing of inappropriate Internet content.
In 2010, there were about 660,000 log-ins on library computers or on its wireless system, the library reports.
In the same year, (actually the first 11 months), of the 511 total complaints filed only 10 related to viewing of objectionable Internet content.
Its ongoing review of the knotty Internet issue has produced filtered computers for children, privacy screens for adult-access computers and education for library staff about those policies and the law.
If the library decided to do more, Morgan said it would have to look at a variety of options ranging from persuasion to sanctions.
"It's a very difficult question," he said. "There is a range of options. It could be a combination of them might be most effective."
The next annual review of the Internet policy will soon be underway. Morgan said if Walker has new information she wants to share with the new library board, he expects she will come forward.
What other cities do
Kitchener Public Library
Porn complaints pale in comparison to those about parking, says Sonia Lewis, chief executive of Kitchener Public Library.
"It's the No. 1 complaint," she said of parking. Those about Internet viewing are relatively insignificant and about the same or less than in London.
"We have next to no complaints," Lewis said.
"We try to locate computer equipment in highly visible locations, where there is a lot of traffic. What we find as much more effective than filtering is the self-policing people do."
Most computers also are in the sight lines of staff members, and filters control the computers used by children. Privacy screens are attached to those for adults.
"Kitchener and London are very similar in approaches," Lewis said, although in Cambridge filters aren't used and the system relies on education and training.
Windsor Public Library
"We take similar steps," library chief executive Barry Holmes said, comparing his situation to London. "We don't filter adults."
But that is about to be reviewed.
Filters control computers used by children with privacy screens for adults. And Windsor has a complaints-based process along with staff training and education about the law.
"It's a balancing of issues," Holmes said. "It's a very complicated issue, and that's why libraries try to have policy around this."
The ongoing concern is a filter may impair access to information, "penalizing others from getting the information they need," he said.
Holmes said the ratio of Internet complaints is similar to that in London.
"But not all cases are reported," he said.
"It seems to happen every once in a while and there needs to be education around it."
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