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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to find it strange the library can't update me on the man i saw looking at explicit material

59 replies

alohahaha · 29/08/2013 22:51

Our local library layout means you walk through the public computer access area to get to the children's section.

Leaving the library this afternoon with my two DC, I saw a man on a computer looking at explicitly sexual pictures of women. DC didn't seem to notice. The computer was right next to the main walkway through the computer area and the screen was visible from a good distance away. The screen was on a pedestal which you stood next to to use. I got a bit of a shock, and went to a librarian and told her what I'd seen. I didn't hang around as we were leaving and were with friends (they didn't see the screen).

I phoned them later to ask what the outcome of the situation was and they said they can't give me any information.

AIBU to find that strange?

OP posts:
SaucyJack · 29/08/2013 22:53

Trunky wants a bun.

MsHighwater · 29/08/2013 22:54

Presumably it meant they are not permitted to give you any info rather than that there is no info.

HairyGrotter · 29/08/2013 22:55

You made a report, you have little else invested in it other than that, therefore they are not obliged or legally obligated to provide any further info

PeazlyPops · 29/08/2013 22:56

I think YANBU, but neither are they. You reported it, they will deal with it from there.

VivaLeBeaver · 29/08/2013 22:56

Maybe they think its a confidentiality thing? Dunno.

I think it's odd that there's not strict porn filters on the computers and I'd be more interested in asking what they're doing about that than what they're doing with an individual.

They probably haven't done much with the bloke and don't want to tell you. If the stuff he's looking at isn't illegal what can they do? Well, tighten up their filters would be good but idont suppose they can ban him, etc.

SoupDragon · 29/08/2013 22:57

I think YABU. It is between the library and the person involved, no one else.

LovesBeingOnHoliday · 29/08/2013 22:58

What did you want them to do to the man?

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 29/08/2013 22:59

Yabu. You did the right thing but the follow up isn't really anything to do with you tbh.

usualsuspect · 29/08/2013 23:00

I'm surprised there are no porn filters on library computers.

thebody · 29/08/2013 23:01

I am amazed there arnt filters.

nancy75 · 29/08/2013 23:02

Very surprised to read this, our local library has incredibly strict filters

Ifcatshadthumbs · 29/08/2013 23:02

Erm what were you hoping to hear? Sorry I think it is odd that you phoned for an update tbh.

StephenFrySaidSo · 29/08/2013 23:03

why would hey give you details or information on someone that has nothing to do with you? you did the right thing informing them but that doesn't give you any right to know what happened to him. you can ask for their policy though which might give you an idea of how it was dealt with Wink

SolidGoldBrass · 29/08/2013 23:04

Tch, it might have been an email from a friend of his. Anyway, OP, what exactly do you want? A medal for fighting the good fight?

Glitterkitten24 · 29/08/2013 23:11

Why do you need to know the outcome? Surely if you have reported to the librarian, your job is done?

AlpacaPicnic · 29/08/2013 23:16

As a librarian (sort of)...in my branch, the complaint would be passed to the service head - it is a serious issue so not to be dealt with by less senior staff. So it may not be dealt with on the actual day. Also, evidence may have to be gathered, and a possible ban would be issued, or 'guidance' would be offered.

But the person making the complaint would not recieve any follow up information as frankly, it is none of your business. It is now between staff and the offending customer.

ClartyCarol · 29/08/2013 23:19

"Trunky wants a bun"?

Confused
ExcuseTypos · 29/08/2013 23:22

Very surprised there weren't very strict filters on the computers.

northernlurker · 29/08/2013 23:26

YABU. WHy do you need to know? Were you hoping to nip down and chuck some veg whilst he was in the stocks. You say you saw this (though I doubt you actually saw what you think due to the filters in use) and you reported that for the library to act as needed. End of story.

AlpacaPicnic · 29/08/2013 23:27

Filters are surprisingly easy to get around... ask any of our local teenagers!
He may have been viewing a file on a flash drive, or an email.

Original poster
alohahaha · 30/08/2013 00:15

Ok, IABU, thanks.

OP posts:
SolidGoldBrass · 30/08/2013 11:25

Also, unless it was something like child abuse imagery (which I am sure you would have mentioned in your OP) the man has not actually broken any laws even if he had broken library rules. You must have a pretty empty life to be so invested in this.

theodorakisses · 30/08/2013 11:55

You make a librarian sound like the police. What a scary threat, "stop that or I'll report you to the librarian. Another barmy thread.

theodorakisses · 30/08/2013 11:57

And if you want to control people doing perfectly legal things on your computers, filter them.

lOVE trunky wants a bun

themaltesefalcon · 30/08/2013 11:57

Well, some of my best friends are librarians and, in fairness to them, they are fucking scary.