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Library deals with Web misuse
By Dave Stephens
Assistant
Campus Editor
The Hicks Undergraduate Library is used by thousands
of students every day as a place to read, study and relax.
Recently, however, there have been complaints that
some people, mainly homeless men, are using the library for other activities,
including looking at pornography.
Pam Brooke, director of Lafayette Urban Ministry,
estimated the local homeless population to be between 800 and 1000 people.
Because of the lack of space in local shelters, many homeless people
spend their time in public places, like University libraries, Brooke
said.
John Fritch, reference librarian in the undergraduate
library, said although there are occasional complaints about the use
of the library’s computers and the people who use them, the complaints
tend to decrease as students return to campus and the library.
Judy Pask, undergraduate librarian, said because
the library is state funded it’s open to the public. "We try
not to restrict anyone’s use," she said. "But we do have
policies that emphasize academic uses. We do ask if it’s crowded,
if you’re not using it for an academic use, to get up and let students
who need to use the computers use them."
According to Fritch, the library doesn’t monitor
the content of the Web sites visited on their computers and doesn’t
use software such as "Net Nanny" to stop questionable Web
sites from being viewed.
Instead, the library posts the computer use policy
near each group of workstations and relies on peoples' discretion in
their computer use.
The library’s policy states, "Access
to the Internet allows access to information from around the world.
Its content is not managed or governed by any entity. Users may encounter
information and images that they may find disturbing or offensive …
Display of sexually explicit material in these public settings may be
considered intimidating, offensive or hostile to others. Such activity
may, therefore, constitute a violation of the University’s anti-harassment
policy."
Pask said people who are offended by what they
see on library computers should tell someone on the library staff.
"We’ve had times where there has been
inappropriate behavior, but we do expect people to respect other people's
rights," said Pask. "And they need to be aware that this is
not the appropriate place to look at certain materials."
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CAMPUS DESK PHONE:
(765)
743-1111 ext. 253
Campus editor:
Laura Pelner
Assistant campus
editors: Kurt Esposito,
Dave Stephens
To
send a letter to the editor, please email opinions@purdueexponent.org
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