[DonQ]

The question is whether the public library should have nanny filters on its internet computers. First, it's still something of a novelty in some parts of the country for the public library to offer internet access at all and a great many libraries still can't or don't.

Second, the nanny filters have often been accused of being, well, a mite too efficient in blocking stuff out; students and adults might find that the filters keep them from doing serious research on a variety of non-risque topics. This is pretty much admitted by whoever worked up the original article because, throughout, "pornography" is typed out "p-rn-gr-phy" or something similar, the missing letters enable the word to sift past whatever nanny filters might be in use!

All things considered, in a public library or maybe I should say even in a public library, parents should exercise some supervision over their kids, to keep the little darling from sneaking out of the Children's Section into the grown-up collections with the adult stuff. And the same applies to internet surfing.

[milan]

Second, the nanny filters have often been accused of being, well, a mite too efficient in blocking stuff out; students and adults might find that the filters keep them from doing serious research on a variety of non-risque topics

Anybody doing legitimate research does not go to the library to do it. They have access from home. All these arguments are nuts. I run "We-Blocker" at my house and sometimes it filters a bit harsh. Oh well, I guess my children will have to choose one of the other 100,000 sites that come up in the search. Get real.

What's wrong with this too: "I have to do a research paper on sex, could you please disable the filter or send me to the private room?"