I’m not sure if I would call Dear Abby “the best opinions in the universe” but she’s right on when she says that the reference librarian has no obligation to assist a patron who wouldn’t get off his cell phone to talk with her. We have many patrons with cell phones in our library and a fairly loose policy that states that if your cell phone is disturbing other patrons you may be asked to take it outside into the lobby. I’m becoming the master of saying “Hi, if you’re going to be a while, would you mind taking your conversation out to the lobby? Thank you!” and it’s worked fine for me, but I know other staffers are more timid about approaching patrons who are being noisy on their phones. In our library, it’s just an extension of the “please don’t be noisy” policy which we have most places except the children’s area and upstairs in the classroom. LISNews folks discuss the issue a bit more.
the noble tradition of libraries
A long but worthwhile article on where libraries are going with some reflections on where they’ve been.
Although the computer terminals tend to be the busiest area in the library these days—and remain the only place where people who do not have internet access at home, which includes half of all households in Brey-Casiano’s district, can use the internet for free—librarians maintain that the internet should supplement, not supplant, traditional sources. [thanks robert]
treat your sick dolls with RFID
A somewhat creepy implementation of RFID technology. thanks fiona
636.45 MICH
Corny Library Pickup Lines, and How Librarians Effectively Shoot Them Down. What’s that call number, something about pigs? [rochelle]
hi – 14feb
Hi. I typed “I love the library” into Google to find something nice for you all for Valentine’s Day and I found an entry from my own site as the number five result. My boyfriend got a valentine made up of words I had cut out of old catalog cards, lucky guy.