[Publib] Cell Phones in the Library

[Howard,Pennie]

We have a small yellow card we hand patrons when they're ringer goes off or when they are having a conversation.  At the top in bold letters it says 'You may not use your cell phone in the Library.'  In smaller letters it gives options - such as taking their call to the front lobby or back hallway.  It also ask them to turn off their ringers and push to talk option.  After about 6 months, we often see patrons hop out of their chair and head to the back hallway (the assumption is the phone is on vibrate) - we don't have 100% compliance but I think it has really helped to give people places where they can talk on their phones.

Pennie

-----Original Message-----
> We have a horrible problem with people using their cell phones in our
> small library. The ceiling is high pitched and echoes, adding to the
> problem. We have signs posted to silence or set to vibrate all phones
> and we have our policy posted about noise levels that are disturbing to
> others, but a great majority of our patrons do not heed these
> directives. When we approach someone about the problem, they become very
> defensive. I have heard about libraries having a statement written on a
> card or bookmark that they can hand to the offending patron and wondered
> if anyone has had success with that and if so, what the wording might
> be.  Thanks in advance for any help you all can offer! 
> 
>  
> 
> Lisë Chlebanowski
> 
> Library Manager
> 
> Avondale Public Library
> 
> (623) 478-3105
> 
> lchlebanowski at avondale.org