[Publib] Cell phone use

[Linda Ballard]

One of the most valuable things I ever heard at a library conference was
"don't make policy around a few annoying people."  We used to have
strict "no cell phone use" policies posted in our library.  Then I went
to a talk where the presenter showed a series of slides he had taken of
the type on negative, No, No, No!!, signs he had seen posted in various
public libraries and spoke about the kind of message this was sending.
In truth, cell phone use that annoys others is a behavioral problem, not
a cell phone or technology problem.  Our cell phone policy now reads:
"Quiet conversations, with others or on a cell phone, are permitted as
long as they don't disturb other patrons or interfere with library
operations.  Please turn down cell phone ring tones while in the
building.  Thank you for being considerate of others.  Persons
disturbing others will be "shushed," as only librarians know how."  All
of us are relieved to no longer be The Cell Phone Police, chasing down
anyone on a phone, but we do ask those who are too loud, whether talking
to a real person or on the phone, to take their conversations out into
the foyer.

 

The original question was about staff use.  We do let staff make and
answer calls on their own time, and out of the public area, on their
cell phones.  I'd rather have them on their own lines than tying up the
library phone lines.   

 

 

Linda V. Ballard

Director, University City Public Library

6701 Delmar Blvd.

University City MO 63130

314.727.3150; fax, 314.727.6005

 

"Libraries will get you through times of no money better than money will
get you through times of no libraries." Anne Herbert, The Whole Earth
Catalog

 

 

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