I can't believe it happens here!

By Michele-Children's Librarian

I recently had my eyes checked and during the exam my eye doctor chatted with me about my job here at the library. He was shocked to hear that we have people try and access porn sites on our internet computers. I assured him that we do have a filtered system and try to be especially vigilant when it comes to children under 18. Nonetheless, he was mortified that it was happening here in our "safe" little city. "Does the mayor know about this?" he asked. I don't know if the mayor knows or not, but I think more people in the general public ought to know.

He asked about wireless and I confirmed that we do indeed have wireless access and anyone who has a laptop computer can come in or sit outside and access our internet server. We have less control over what people view on their own personal computers and often because they are sitting in remote spots we can't monitor what they have on their screens. If we do see inapropriate material we will remind them that children are present and to please keep them in mind. However, your child may walk past and see something that you don't want them to. Some of these individuals do not care if the whole world knows that they are looking at porn sites.

What is the most scary to me, as the children's librarian and as a parent, is the number of people who are so comfortable here at the library that they leave even small childen unattended for long periods of time. They are either browsing for a book or using the internet themselves. What they might not realize is that convicted sex offenders could be in the building. Our front door is adjacent to the children's area. It would take only seconds for a child to disappear and no one would see. Often I am away from my desk for a variety of reasons and no staff is supervising in the children's area. We leave the safety of your children up to you. Please be aware that this is a public space.

Now, I don't want to scare you. Most of the time the library is a fun, safe place for families to visit. This is just a reminder for parents to be vigilant in keeping track of children here. Because believe it or not, things happen in our "safe" little city.