Plaintiffs Amend Livermore Suit
over Online Smut
Still determined to curtail the availability of filter-free Internet access to underage patrons of Livermore (Calif.) Public Library, a California mother and son have amended their dismissed lawsuit to enjoin city officials from "maintaining library premises at which children have the ability to access, acquire, display, and/or print obscene, sexual, and/or other [harmful] material."
Filed November 3, the amended complaint contends that the city is violating youngsters' constitutional right to due process by exposing them to "sustained emotional and psychological damage in addition to damage to their nervous systems" from seeing offensive material at unrestricted workstations. LPL "invites, encourages, and entices children" to use its services despite admitting in its written policy that "patrons use the Internet at their own risk," the suit argues.
A hearing is slated for January 13, plaintiff attorney Michael Millen told American Libraries.
Posted November 23, 1998.
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