[Publib] patron information

[Lynne Ingersoll]

My cell phone has an Indiana area code.  Of course, I never turn the thing
on unless I am making a call.

I believe we ask for a reference phone number in addition to whatever number
the patron gives us.  We can list at least two numbers and maybe more.  When
I take hold requests, I just always ask if the phone number is new or a
number other than that given to us originally.  If so, I take the new number
and add it.  If it is out of our area code, I'll ask if it's a cell phone.

I was just reading something yesterday about all cell phones made after 2005
being required by law to have GPS chips, regardless of whether the purchaser
knows or wants one or not.  Why does someone (or the government) think they
have the right to know where we are all the time?  And what if the phone is
stolen and used by someone else?  How can cell phone records be seen as "the
new DNA" (which is a quote from the article)?  Doesn't anyone care about
individual privacy any more?  We're told this is for our protection (like
the ads now running for On-Star in cars) but the other side of the coin is
lots darker and more ominous.  And I don't buy the argument that "if you're
not doing something wrong, you won't mind".  I am not, and I do!!!

Monday's mini-rant

Lynne S. Ingersoll
Reference Services Manager
Technical Services Manager
Blue Island Public Library
2433 York Street
Blue Island, IL 60406
(708) 388-1078 x20
(708) 388-9301 Fax

-----Original Message-----
From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org]
On Behalf Of King, Jamie
Sent: Monday, February 11, 2008 11:33 AM
To: John; publib at webjunction.org
Subject: RE: [Publib] isbns & patron information (unrelated)

John,

I think you might have to just accept disappearing acts will happen
sometimes.  Have you really noticed that happening more with cell-only
people?  I'd be surprised if that's the case.  I'd think someone having
an out-of-town cell number would indicate they were planning on keeping
it for a while, so you'd be *more* likely to contact them if they left
town.  That's just an assumption though.  As long as a new patron has to
verify his address, isn't that enough to prove they actually live there?

A Pew Research Center study indicates 14% of Americans use only cell
phones (no landline).  I'm one of them, and so are many of my friends.
I got my cell phone number when I lived in another state, and I couldn't
think of any reason to change it when I moved.  I'm pretty sure I'd be
annoyed if my library insisted on having my work (or any other) number,
especially if I knew they weren't asking everybody for that.


Jennie,

I'm curious as to why you insist on a home number if a person just wants
to give you a cell.  Is it because you consider cell phones to be more
temporary?


Thanks,

Jamie King
Cataloging Services
Follett Library Resources
McHenry, IL