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Old 01-19-2012, 11:07 AM
 
1,075 posts, read 1,694,683 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fleetiebelle View Post
This is why the OP's 24/7 library idea would never work. It would just end up being a crash pad/public toilet for drunks and homeless people. The 24-hour library works on college campuses because of the built-in clientele, but not too many folk will be checking out new fiction and researching jobs and 3 AM.
I agree. Plus, university libraries are secure buildings which require key-card access and have their own private security.

Has anyone been to a public library lately? I am not a luddite, and I love that libraries are embracing techonology, especially e-books. However, it seems like libraries are turning into cyber cafes for people who cannot afford a computer and/or internet access. I am not talking about hardworking folks that just can't afford the "luxury" of a computer. I am talking about crazy, dirty dudes who can legally watch as much porn as they'd like at the library.
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Old 01-19-2012, 11:27 AM
 
Location: North Oakland
9,150 posts, read 10,905,805 times
Reputation: 14503
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kippy View Post
I am talking about crazy, dirty dudes who can legally watch as much porn as they'd like at the library.
I use the library on a regular basis and I have never seen anyone looking at porn. Not once in twelve years.
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Old 01-19-2012, 11:34 AM
 
Location: Brooklyn, NY
567 posts, read 1,162,863 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jay5835 View Post
I use the library on a regular basis and I have never seen anyone looking at porn. Not once in twelve years.
Yeah I'm pretty sure there are parental control type devices on the library computers. (though I've never attempted to look at such stuff on a library computer so...?)
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Old 01-19-2012, 12:13 PM
 
43,011 posts, read 108,124,939 times
Reputation: 30723
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kippy View Post
I agree. Plus, university libraries are secure buildings which require key-card access and have their own private security.

Has anyone been to a public library lately? I am not a luddite, and I love that libraries are embracing techonology, especially e-books. However, it seems like libraries are turning into cyber cafes for people who cannot afford a computer and/or internet access. I am not talking about hardworking folks that just can't afford the "luxury" of a computer. I am talking about crazy, dirty dudes who can legally watch as much porn as they'd like at the library.
I don't know what library you've been going to but the ones I've been to aren't full of poor dirty people.

Quote:
Originally Posted by ctoocheck View Post
Yeah I'm pretty sure there are parental control type devices on the library computers. (though I've never attempted to look at such stuff on a library computer so...?)
I remember reading an article recently about Carnegie librarians defending people's rights to read/view whevere they want. There are parental controls but any adult can ask for the controls to be turned off. I'll see if I can find the article. I'm not into porn, but I respected the librarians for standing by the constitution. Librarians are probably the most liberal population when it comes to censorship. They're very career is the opposite of book burnings.
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Old 01-19-2012, 12:22 PM
 
43,011 posts, read 108,124,939 times
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This is the court case that started it: Library porn filter ruling contentious

I can't find the recent article where the library said that any adult can ask for the filter to be disabled.
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Old 01-19-2012, 12:25 PM
 
Location: Marshall-Shadeland, Pittsburgh, PA
32,620 posts, read 77,674,126 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WestLibertyAve View Post
People need gas late at night too...
So you're advocating for a 24/7 Taco Bell?
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Old 01-19-2012, 12:29 PM
 
Location: Portland, OR
4,275 posts, read 7,636,508 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SteelCityRising View Post
So you're advocating for a 24/7 Taco Bell?
Gross!
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Old 01-19-2012, 01:18 PM
 
7,112 posts, read 10,141,292 times
Reputation: 1781
Quote:
Originally Posted by fleetiebelle View Post
This is why the OP's 24/7 library idea would never work. It would just end up being a crash pad/public toilet for drunks and homeless people. The 24-hour library works on college campuses because of the built-in clientele, but not too many folk will be checking out new fiction and researching jobs and 3 AM.
That might make a case for a 24/7 District being in the suburbs as only those with cars could reach it. An advantage of having a District would be that it would be easier to monitor and police the area instead of spreading it out over the city where security can't possibly be everywhere.

The homeless and bums are a problem for libraries at all hours they are open so long as they are in the city or are reachable by public transportation. The only solution I can think of is to make the library a "library". Publicly accessible as is any business by privately owned or semi-private. It still might draw the ire of the ACLU but cutting it from being publicly owned would help. Running it could be a function of the 24/7 District and it would seek support from donations and foundations. Internet access could be limited to those with laptops or they could rent a laptop.

An active 24/7 District might be a draw for people as people like to be around people. It should be a place for entertainment, food, and retail. A library can have the same appeal as a Starbucks, even overnight.
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Old 01-19-2012, 01:24 PM
 
43,011 posts, read 108,124,939 times
Reputation: 30723
Quote:
Originally Posted by MathmanMathman View Post
That might make a case for a 24/7 District being in the suburbs as only those with cars could reach it. An advantage of having a District would be that it would be easier to monitor and police the area instead of spreading it out over the city where security can't possibly be everywhere.
That's one reason I support bus service not being a requirement.
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Old 01-19-2012, 02:37 PM
 
34 posts, read 49,312 times
Reputation: 77
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kippy View Post
Has anyone been to a public library lately? I am not a luddite, and I love that libraries are embracing techonology, especially e-books. However, it seems like libraries are turning into cyber cafes for people who cannot afford a computer and/or internet access. I am not talking about hardworking folks that just can't afford the "luxury" of a computer. I am talking about crazy, dirty dudes who can legally watch as much porn as they'd like at the library.
I absolutely support 'internet cafe for non-computer owners' as a core function of libraries. You're right to put "luxury" in quotes; internet access is such an essential service for anyone who wants to engage in society. Really have to disagree with screening homeless people out of this service.

The idea of barring the homeless from libraries that someone seems to be putting forth is passing ridiculous. Sorry you feel nervous around people without cars - I think you're missing the point of what libraries are for.
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