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Cell phones in library

October 21, 2004 - 3:28pm — madcow

I'm curious about what other libraries have for cell phone use policies, if any. Ours has a No Cell Zone sign at the front entrance. People receiving calls usually head out to the lobby, but occasionally will just take their calls at their table, or hide in a bookstack or stairwell.

I've done it too.

I think that banning cell use is stupid in a library setting, UNLESS you have a silence policy or somesuch (we don't in our reference area). But what do others think?

Comments

October 22, 2004 - 2:12pm — madcow

thanks!

this feedback is very helpful! Anyone else out there with hints or tricks?

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October 21, 2004 - 3:56pm — tomeboy

Our policy is...

  • no ringers.
  • no long conversations
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    October 21, 2004 - 4:18pm — shoe

    I like that policy, tomeboy

    Personally, I don't care if someone is having a quiet, hushed discussion on a cell phone, or with the person next to them, or whatever. I hate the damn ringers. Hate them. Hate them.

    I hate hearing the theme from the Godfather broadcast before I tell someone to go outside with their call. I hate when someone yells, "I can't hear you!" into their cell phone. I hate when someone comes to the info desk, right next to our "No cell phone" sign and says, "You have crappy reception here." (had this happen once). I hate when kids come in and take pictures of each other with their frickin' camera phones. Why? Because they feel the need to "strike a pose."

    I think it's like anything... when used reasonably, most people don't have a problem with it. Problem is, many, many people don't use them reasonably.

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    October 21, 2004 - 9:13pm — ChuckB

    Seconding tomeboy & shoe

    Apart from the ringers, I don't see why cell phone conversations should be treated differently from other conversations in a library. And I don't see why quiet conversation should be banned from a library.

    I hate when someone comes to the info desk, right next to our "No cell phone" sign and says, "You have crappy reception here."

    You should have said, "Thanks, I'm glad to hear it! It wasn't easy getting all that lead foil down into the walls and over the ceiling!"

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