Police: Wi-Fi User Viewed Explicit Sites near Closed Library

A man was arrested December 30 for allegedly using a Salem, New York, library’s wireless internet connection to view a sexually explicit video on his notebook computer.

A police officer said that Ralph E. Holmes, 65, was observed outside the Bancroft Public Library accessing the online materials after the building had closed, the Bennington (Vt.) Banner reported January 6. After law enforcement seized the laptop to examine its internet cache, Holmes was charged with public display of pornographic material, a misdemeanor.

Director Peg Culver told American Libraries that while library policy prohibits the use of the library’s network to view sexually explicit material, the library was not involved in having the man arrested and did not know about the incident until after the fact. The library’s Wi-Fi network does not require a password of users.

Emphasizing that wireless access “has been such an asset” overall, Culver said that the arrest is not likely to affect the library’s internet policy or enforcement methods. “People have been so pleased with coming in and using their laptops,” she said, acknowledging that adjustments may be necessary if the issue becomes a problem. Culver added that she believes “it’s going to be an isolated incident,” and that patrons have not sought any change.

Posted on January 9, 2009. Discuss.

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