GREENSBORO N.C. -
Surfing the internet is free and easy at downtown Greensboro's Central Library. All you need is a library card.
Thousands of people use the library computers to get online every day.
"I don't have a computer at home, I don't download music so most of my music I get from here," said Jerusha Mays, who visits the library weekly.
Others use computers to access e-mail, look for jobs and surf the net for pornography.
"It is a challenge to manage such a powerful tool of information," said Sandy Neerman, central library director.
Libraries are founded on the public's access to information. Some libraries include internet filters on public computers. For now, Guilford County has opted not to install such filters.
Instead, anyone caught looking at porn are asked to leave by security guards. Repeat offenders can be banned for a day, week, month or even a year at a time.
"One time I was on the computer and there was this guy next to me, we were both on computer and then security came up and said excuse me sir you're gonna have to get off that," Mays said. "I don't want to laugh people getting in trouble but that was so ridiculous it was funny."
Library officials said it's no laughing matter.
"We certainly aren't policing it but if someone is doing something inappropriate it becomes obvious," added Neerman.
Porn surfing is not a criminal offense, but repeat offenders can and have been charged with trespassing.
Thousands of people use the library computers to get online every day.
"I don't have a computer at home, I don't download music so most of my music I get from here," said Jerusha Mays, who visits the library weekly.
Others use computers to access e-mail, look for jobs and surf the net for pornography.
"It is a challenge to manage such a powerful tool of information," said Sandy Neerman, central library director.
Libraries are founded on the public's access to information. Some libraries include internet filters on public computers. For now, Guilford County has opted not to install such filters.
Instead, anyone caught looking at porn are asked to leave by security guards. Repeat offenders can be banned for a day, week, month or even a year at a time.
"One time I was on the computer and there was this guy next to me, we were both on computer and then security came up and said excuse me sir you're gonna have to get off that," Mays said. "I don't want to laugh people getting in trouble but that was so ridiculous it was funny."
Library officials said it's no laughing matter.
"We certainly aren't policing it but if someone is doing something inappropriate it becomes obvious," added Neerman.
Porn surfing is not a criminal offense, but repeat offenders can and have been charged with trespassing.
