University of Texas School of Law - Peregrinus Yearbook (Austin, TX)

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' » • i J , « % % in f f» 2 - Features

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As if making the grades at the UT Law School isn ' t hard enough, the Tarlton Law Library, with its won- derful collection of art and comfort- able living room atmosphere, can make studying fairly difficult. For those who find it difficult to tune out the current library distractions, knowing that Tarlton Law Library has a pornography collection won ' t help matters. For most law students, the library ' s Litigated Literature Collection appeals more to the intellect than any prurient interest. As the name suggests, the collection consists primarily of books and peri- odicals that have been the subject of litigation over the years, including collection of photographs by Robert Maplethorpe and Hustler magazine. The materials have been used by seri- ous researchers over the years, most recently by a professor at U.T. who free speech, with respect to the differ- ent periods in American History. The university obtained much of the collection as gifts, some donated from trial exhibits and personal con- tributions. The library also actively pursues material it feels will con- tribute to understanding the issues surrounding the First Amendment. The Supreme Court has struggled over the obscenity issue since the early 1940s. The first decision, Chaplinsky v. New Hampshire, did not even deal directly with the issue of pornography. The Supreme Court found at this point, that First Amendment protection did not cover obscene or libelous speech. For over thirty years the Supreme Court was bombarded by cases involving cen- sorship and obscenity. Finally, after defining obscenity in 1973, the issue of pornography was considered resolved. LITIGATEP LITERATUHE traced the image of Middle Eastern women in cartoons and photographs over the years. Researching the collection provides hands-on insight into the evolution of No other issue in history has tied up the court for such a lengthy period of time. It is for this reason that the University began collecting the mate- rial. The definition of obscenity and subsequently pornography , has evolved with societal changes. The library has sought to reflect this through its selection of disputed liter- ature. Contrary to popular belief, the basement in Tarlton Law Library is no den of sin for bored law students and professors. Litigated material makes up the bulk of this collection, and as the Warren Court would attest, in respect to literature, some of these controversial works leave a lot to be desired. -StPii by Jill Robinson (All Photos by John Foxworth) 4 - Litigated Literature