[Publib] use of library phone by public

[Lisa Richland]

We don't have a pay phone anymore, since the local provider took it out
because it didn't generate enough revenue.  We don't have a space to provide
a public extension in a private location, so staff will use their judgment
case by case.  Calling a friend to meet you at the library isn't a good
reason, calling the mechanic to come get your car started is a very good
reason.
At my wonderful library in Pinellas Park, Florida, where I spend some
vacation time, they have a dedicated phone for public use close to the
Reference desk but private enough for a quiet conversation.  I think that is
a real service to a struggling community. .

...and that's MY opinion

Lisa Richland, Director
Floyd Memorial Library
Greenport, NY (the last library before Portugal)


On Mon, Mar 2, 2009 at 2:08 PM, Isa Small <isas at eauclaire.lib.wi.us> wrote:

> I am an assistant at a public library in Wisconsin. I would like to know
> how other libraries handle patron requests to use the phone.  Although we
> have a pay-phone available in the library, many patrons do not have money to
> use the phone.  Many times the requests come from children and teenagers
> wanting to get a ride or let a parent know where they are, but sometimes it
> seems as though it is a purely social call.  Lately, this has become an
> issue.  Some nights there are a dozen requests.  Also, the conversations are
> at times  loud and confrontational.  Is it unreasonable to charge a fee of
> 10 cents or so to encourage the young patrons to make arrangements prior to
> coming to the library? Or, should we continue to acquiesce all requests to
> use to use the phone on the grounds that it may be the only way for the
> patron to contact a safe ride home?
>
> Isa Small
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Publib mailing list
> Publib at webjunction.org
> http://lists.webjunction.org/mailman/listinfo/publib
>
>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://lists.webjunction.org/wjlists/publib/attachments/20090302/142b5964/attachment.htm