It's around noon MDT, so here's what happened.

He was asked to leave by the person in charge on Saturday, which he did without a problem. The PC was put to "Out Of Order" status so that any evidence on it wouldn't be changed or removed, pending decisions on Monday.

After looking at the "favorites" which were stored in Internet Explorer, that is, actually looking at the websites, I returned the PC to "Out of Order." I then took what documentation we had (you have to reserve a PC to surf, due to demand) and called the cops.

I was advised by a detective that such activity was suspect, to say the least. When asked the person's name (remember that they have to reserve a PC?) the officer knew it; that afternoon the detectives came with a computer specialist and removed the hard drive from the PC.

The PC is, naturally, still out of order!

The hard drive has been taken to the FBI to be cloned (we happen to be home to the FBI's Information Technology Center) and it will be reinstalled (minus some websites!) sometime today. The person who was on duty on Saturday will also be questioned this afternoon about the incident.

In the meantime, we've banned the person from using the Library's Internet connections for two months -- one for visiting the sites and one for changing the software settings on the PC (the homepage was switched to an adult porn site). He has been in trouble with his activities in the library before (not for this sort of thing) and the next time he "acts up" he'll be permanently prohibited.

Yes, we can legally do this and more.

Before I got here the Library had another incident of this sort, this time involving true child porn. I took the same steps as were taken then, it turns out.

As for a filter, there probably is one in our future, much as I dislike the idea. While we might not have to install one because of the CIPA ruling by the Supremes, there is a thing called "public opinion" and "public relations." Besides, I see no reason to supply access to Internet gambling (for example).

I don't like filtering. First of all, it doesn't work well. Secondly, it doesn't work well. Thirdly...you get the idea. Lastly, it's expensive and a problem in a time when library budgets are being cut -- and this doesn't even touch on freedom of information issues!

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