Roswell library tries to block porn

ROSWELL, N.M. (KRQE-KBIM) - Complaints about online pornography have prompted the Roswell Public Library to install filters expected to limit the viewing of X-rated Web sites on its computers.

Roswell City Attorney Judy Pittman said the library board voted to update its Internet policy. The change came after a complaint that someone was looking at sexually explicit images at the library.

"In the past there was no filtering system," Pittman said.

Teacher Jean Hamill said she always tells her students and grandchildren to tap into their local library for endless information.

"I think they should be free to do what they want, but I think we need to have limitations," she said.

The American Civil Liberties Union fought against similar policies around the nation and in 2003 the debate went as far as the United States Supreme Court. The justices shot down the idea that internet filters violated the First Amendment.

Crystal Tarín welcomes the change after seeing a 10-year-old looking at a pornographic cartoon.

"He just kept clicking through anime porn," she said.

Pittman said the new policy is only a good start.

"I think the research would bear out that there is no filtering system that is perfect, that there are ways to possibly get around the filtering system," she said.