[Publib] RE: Celll Phones in the Library

[Carol Bean]

Lisë,
 
I tried chasing people down with stern reminders, and they pretty much all responded defensively.  Then I tried smiling sweetly and asking them if they would take their cell phone outside.  *Much* better results, but there are still people who think they should be the exception ("but this is an emergency!").  
 
I thought after a few months that at least the regulars were catching on, but they seem to need 2 or 3 reminders.  I have noticed many now will answer their phone and say "I'm in the library, I can't talk right now," and hang up, or take the phone outside and call back. And there are actually people now who will take the phone out and *turn it off* rather than answer it!  
 
I've noticed a lot of people taking calls try to "hide" - not in the bad sense, but trying to find to a place where they will not be disturbing others, not realizing that they are moving to a place where the acoustics are just right to be heard all over the library!  Is it possible to have a "cell phone room" (kind of like a phone booth) where people could more easily go to take a call rather than making the trek across the library to go outside?
 
Carol Bean
Library Computer Center Manager
North County Regional Library
11303 Campus Drive
Palm Beach Gardens, FL  33418
561-626-6133
www.pbclibrary.org

	-----Original Message----- 
	Date: Thu, 1 Dec 2005 13:07:02 -0700
	From: "Lise Chlebanowski" <lchlebanowski at avondale.org>
	Subject: [Publib] Celll Phones in the Library
	To: <publib at webjunction.org>
	Message-ID:
	        <AA5AF7CC3A17C2498626C20910F533554C3106 at SVEX01-EVS01.avondale.org>
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	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
	
	"Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read."
	
	Groucho Marx <http://www.quotationspage.com/quotes/Groucho_Marx/>
	

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