This is a problem everywhere, of course, not just in libraries. And like most people I tend to think that people should stop using their cellphones - except ME, because when I use my cellphone it's really really necessary.
There's a crying need for someone to invent a cellphone booth solution. Actually, there are some cellphone booths out there, (story in USA Today http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/techinnovations/2006-06-18-cellphone-booths_x.htm) but they're like the old phonebooths, expensive, and the library would have to buy these booths and plop them somewhere where there was space.
Problem is that cellphones aren't like old phones, they're not tethered, and there are lots and lots of them. What we need is some sort of individual, easily portable, inexpensive cellphone booth that we would each have to buy for ourselves - I'm thinking something like those mod 60's umbrellas that were clear and came down to your elbows, only made with soundproof material. the soundproofing would make it a lot easier for the cellphone user to hear too. Any inventors out there?
Susanna M. Leers
Electronic Research & Technology Services
Barco Law Library
University of Pittsburgh
vox 412 648 1329
fax 412 648 1352
________________________________
From: owner-law-lib@ucdavis.edu [owner-law-lib@ucdavis.edu] On Behalf Of Clive, Myndi [MClive@washoecounty.us]
Sent: 31 August 2007 02:07 PM
To: Lawlib
Subject: RE: Cell phone Users
Gosh, I should hope that your exclamation points are in jest!!!!!
Public Libraries for the the Public. With budget cuts and rising materials costs, we can't afford to lose any customers and supporters of the library with exaggerated policies and "shushing". Cell phones are a part of life, like it or not. Adjusting our attitudes and policies towards new technology (cell phones, etc.) should be done with everyone in mind, including our users and their needs.
Don't think I advocate the use of cell phones in the library, but tact has to be used with customers. Cell phones are an extension of some people's office and therefore is necessary for their livelihood. Because of this, we need to have some leniency along with the boundaries that the library creates.
...my two cents!
Myndi Clive
Reference Librarian
Washoe County Law Library
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-law-lib@ucdavis.edu [mailto:owner-law-lib@ucdavis.edu] On Behalf Of Burgalassi, Anthony J.
Sent: Friday, August 31, 2007 10:43 AM
To: Sharon Wayland; Lawlib
Subject: RE: Cell phone Users
I would "BANN" the use of cell phone usage in the building, just like "No smoking" If the patrons need to talk on the cell phone they need to go outside the building. After all it's a library there shouldn't be any talking out loud to begin with!
I wouldn't hesitate to start banning patrons!
Anthony J. Burgalassi
>From the Desk of Anthony J. Burgalassi
Regional Reference Librarian, NY Office
________________________________
From: owner-law-lib@ucdavis.edu [mailto:owner-law-lib@ucdavis.edu] On Behalf Of Sharon Wayland
Sent: Friday, August 31, 2007 11:33 AM
To: Lawlib
Subject: Cellphone Users
I know this has been discussed before but our problem with cellphone users has become increasingly worse and I am wondering if others are having the same difficulties. Fort Worth sits on top of a huge natural gas reserve and so our library (and the entire courthouse for that matter) has very recently been overrun by people doing oil and gas research. They talk on their cellphones incessantly and no amount of warning and signposting has seemed to help. We used to allow them to keep their phones turned on in vibrate mode but the phone conversations became so loud and annoying, we recently posted signs tellling them to shut them off completely. Now we are fighting with them all day long to get them to KEEP them turned off. They are usually cooperative about turning them off but almost invariably, end up turning them back on, sometimes within just a few minutes. I am not talking about one or two isolated cases but more like dozens every day.
What do you do when you have a large number of patrons who abuse the rules constantly? This is public library and I hesitate to start banning patrons.
Sharon Wayland
Tarrant County Law Library
100 W. Weatherford, Rm. 420
Fort Worth, TX 76196-0800
817-212-7228
Fax 817-884-1509
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