[Publib] use of library phone by public

[Molly Wms]

I'm a patron at a library in Maine that also has a local-calls only 
phone on the wall near the circulation desk. Calls are free, limited to 
5 mins, and people are supposed to talk quietly. Seems to work well.

~ Molly Wms.

-- 
Molly Williams
Beyond Rivalry: http://beyondrivalry.org
Library Booklists: http://librarybooklists.org




> -----Original Message-----
> From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Isa Small
> Sent: Monday, March 02, 2009 1:08 PM
> To: publib at webjunction.org
> Subject: [Publib] use of library phone by public
>
> 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? 
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> Isa Small
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