And not misuse it - a subject of increasing importance to parents, government, and the Internet industry, which is facing the threat of congressional regulation.
Librarians from two Philadelphia branches recounted catching kids typing in sex-related search words and politely informed them that that, too, was inappropriate.
Infractions can draw temporary withdrawal of computer privileges. Or a call to the transgresssor's parent.
Despite an occasional scolding for kids looking for things forbidden, most children surfing the Net in public libraries seem most interested in song lyrics, sports and movies (``Men in Black'' is big.)
Neither the Free Library nor the Philadelphia public school system blocks out pornographic Web sites, although some suburban school districts do.
Instead, city schools and the public libraries rely on staff vigilance.
School District spokeswoman Pam Weddington said there is at least one computer in each school with access to the Internet, but none is available to students without adult supervision.
``There's an adult always circulating in the room, and there are different software packages so the adult can monitor the different computers,'' said Deborah Gniewek, who coordinates library services and programs for the district.
Each computer also contains a command that lets teachers check what sites students have been visiting.
Kids know this, said Gniewek.
``I even heard of one case where a student, by mistake, found a place where he shouldn't be and ran and told the librarian, just in case she would check.''
Elliot Shelkrot, president of the Free Library, said the library staff has not found any computer programs that block Internet smut sites without side effects.
