Librarians Get $435,000 for Toxic Exposure ... to Porn

Even as the leftist American Library Association continues to denounce anti-porn Internet filters, librarians in Minneapolis have settled their lawsuit over workplace exposure to Web smut for $435,000.

"We believe the financial settlement in this case sends a strong message to libraries around the country that they must take the concerns of their employees seriously," the 12 librarians said in a joint statement.

"The agreement includes changes or potential changes in several operating areas, chiefly the beefing up of penalties against Internet violators. A violator could be suspended from all city libraries for up to one year after repeated violations, up from 90 days now. Viewers of child pornography could lose library privileges permanently if that change is deemed legal by the city attorney's office," the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported.

Starting in January, the plan calls for library users to pay for their printouts, a tactic the employees hope will keep the downtown library from becoming a kinky Kinko's.