Special Report

Air Date: Tuesday, July 15, 2008

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Library investigation

Theaters and video stores usually require an age of 17 or older to see or rent an R-Rated release, unless there is parental permission. But something altogether different is going on in some local libraries. 7News' Jonathan Hall investigates.

You may think the library is a kid friendly spot for borrowing books and movies.

Gerry Veneto, parent
"We count on libraries to protect our kids. That's the one place that I would let them go."

But are the libraries acting responsibly when it comes to our children? 7News wanted to find out.

We sent two 11-year-old girls to the DVD and video section in this Boston library.

Both picked out "R" rated movies and then checked them out.

Jonathan Hall, 7News
"Did a librarian say, 'Hey wait a second you don't look like you're 17?'"

Gillian, 11-year-old 
"No."

Jonathan Hall, 7News
"They just said go ahead?"

Gillian, 11-year-old 
"Yeah."

Jonathan Hall, 7News
"Did anybody ask, 'Do your parents know that you're renting this rated "R" movie?'"

Gillian, 11-year-old 
"Nope."

And it doesn't just happen once!  At one location the kids rented three R rated movies and at another location the girls checked out four movies, including one with strong violence and nudity.

Jonathan Hall, 7News
"Were you surprised that you were able to rent these movies with no problem?"

Gillian, 11-year-old 
"Yeah."

In all, five Boston Public Library branches let the 11-year-olds rent more than a dozen rated "R" movies.

Gerry Veneto, parent
"Unbelievable. I am shocked that they would let these girls walk out with these movies. Totally inappropriate for an 11-year-old."

So, why didn't these kids get denied?

The Boston Public Library
"Parents are responsible for guiding their children's use of library resources." 

Ruth Kowal, Boston Public Library Acting President
"We do have materials that some people might find objectionable that a child could in fact have access to, but we would hope that the parent or caregiver would be involved."

The Boston Public Library policy is in line with American Library Association guidelines.

"Under the First Amendment, children and teens have the same rights as adults to select the materials they wish to read, listen to or view." 

A spokesperson for Mayor Thomas Menino says though the city runs the library, an independent board of trustees makes policy and the mayor has no direct control.

Mayor Thomas Menino issued this statement:
"It is unfortunate that some individuals would take advantage of a public right to have open access to everything our libraries have to offer. We will continue to look at ways to prevent abuse of the libraries' resources and materials."

But some parents say that's not enough.

Gerry Veneto, parent
"You can go into a library and nobody asks where's your parent, where's an ID? To prove it even. I don't understand that, I just don't."

Boston Public Library Officials say there is a way for them to put a warning or alert on library card information and they're willing to consider that as a protective measure if a concerned parent pushes for it.

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