“Libraries should not deny adults using publicly available computers the opportunity to view research material and other lawful information,” ACLU Legal Director Sarah Dunne said in a release.
“We want to err on the side of kids,” NCRL Director Dean Marney said in the November 17 Wenatchee World, adding, “The internet is so huge, and we carefully choose the books for our libraries. Shouldn’t we try to be as careful with the internet?” The Associated Press November 16 quoted Marney as saying that federal law did not require the library to grant patron requests to provide unblocked access.
The three individual plaintiffs claim they were prevented from viewing websites on drug and alcohol abuse for a university course, accessing a personal blog on MySpace, and conducting research on art galleries and health issues. The Second Amendment Foundation, located in Bellevue, Washington, contends that NCRL blocks access to its magazine Women and Guns, which covers such topics as self-defense, recreational shooting, and weapons-related legal issues.
The lawsuit asks the court to require the library to disable the filters when requested by an adult for research or other lawful purposes. The NCRL system has 28 branches in five central Washington counties.
Posted November 17, 2006.