New York, May 3 (IANS) People of New York can now watch internet porn at the city's public libraries, thanks to a policy of free speech, officials said.

"Customers can watch whatever they want on the computer," said Brooklyn Public Library spokeswoman Malika Granville.

The New York Post reported that people are free to watch anything on computers at the city's 200-plus libraries.

The rule, however, has angered religious leaders and library patrons. "What they're doing is publicly funding an appetite for the most debased fare available," said Catholic League president Bill Donohue.

"It's not like a Playboy centerfold anymore - it's far worse," he said.

Library visitor Daisy Nazario, 60, said she was disgusted when she found she was sitting next to an elderly man watching porn at the Brooklyn Central Library.

"I could hear the voices," Nazario said. "It is very disrespectful to children."

Under American law, libraries that use federal funding only must install filters on publicly-used computers to block content that have obscenity and child pornography.

Library officials said it is a free speech issue.

"In deference to the First Amendment protecting freedom of speech, the New York Public Library cannot prevent adult patrons from accessing adult content that is legal," said New York Public Library spokeswoman Angela Montefinise.