Monday, April 11, 2011

Cell Phones in the Library -- Cell Phones in the Stacks
RING.
“Hello? HELLO? HELLO? I CAN’T HEAR YOU VERY WELL. CAN YOU HEAR ME? … That’s better. Sorry about taking so long to pick up the phone. It was in my book bag, and I couldn’t find it…I’m at the library studying. Do you need something? … No. I don’t mind. Let me read this back to you to make sure I’ve got everything: a gallon of milk, a loaf of bread, shoestrings, and crayons for Billy’s art project. Do you think the grocery store will have shoestrings and crayons? No? Does he really need the crayons tonight? Okay. I guess I’d better get off the phone so I can get to the store. Besides, the librarian keeps gesturing for me to lower my voice.”

As the technology becomes more popular, cell-phone usage in libraries is proliferating. And although a few patrons may be using their phones to access online library catalogs, most are using them for their primary purpose. Excessively loud cell-phone conversations, however, can disturb other library users and interrupt reference interviews, bibliographic instruction, or circulation services. Some cell phones even offer obtrusive music in lieu of the traditional ringing sound.

 So what can be done to preserve a quality library atmosphere and ensure that students can enjoy a quiet space in spite of widespread cell-phone usage? (There were nearly one billion cell phone subscriptions worldwide in 2001.) A number of options are available to librarians, ranging from the draconian to the relatively benign.

 The outright banning of cell phones is likely the least popular option among patrons, but it might be tempting to consider it. Although most libraries have reframed from this harsh step, some, such as the Iowa City Public Library, have pursued variations of this policy by hanging signs that ask patrons to turn off their cell-phone ringers.

Public schools in several states have enforced bans on cell phones since the 1990s, but in the wake of the 9/11 tragedy, many lawmakers and school administrators are rethinking the value of cell phones during crisis situations. Policies are being rewritten and some banning laws are being abolished to ease parental concerns and promote students’ feelings of security. Trends such as these must be weighed by librarians when considering how to deal with cell phones. In addition, we must consider the potential resentment of patrons when a ban is enforced. This action could even be viewed as a barrier to library use–a result that no institution is likely to accept.
 Space for speaking

Designating library space for cell-phone use is an option, provided there is space available. Usually space is a valued commodity in library buildings, and management and staff must work together to find an appropriate area for cell phones. Depending on the size of the library, a space-utilization study, which includes a floor-layout diagram, a study of patron traffic-flow patterns, and customer surveys, may be needed. A diagram of each floor of the library provides a topographical view of the physical objects used by patrons and staff, and also gives the square footage by room to help decision-makers better understand the difficulties and costs involved with choosing one area for cell phones over another.

Determining traffic flow in the library will help identify which areas are heavily used as walkways and conversation areas. The goal would be to select an area already accepted as “a loud place.” Traffic-flow patterns can be developed primarily through observational data-gathering techniques. Customer surveys should be used to gain formal input from patrons about preferred cell-phone usage locations. This option requires more effort on the part of staff than simply banning cell phones; however, it is a compromise that could benefit everyone.

A new cell-phone technology known as “Quiet Calls” is under development to help cell-phone users in quiet environments. It allows them to prerecord messages like “I am not available now” or “I can’t talk right now; please call back at a specified time.” If the vibrating feature on the cell phone is activated and the ringer turned off, it is possible for a cell-phone user to listen to an incoming call without speaking. With this situation, the prerecorded message might say, `1 can’t talk right now, but I can listen.”
Another option involves “text messaging,” which sends a written message to would-be callers in lieu of the prerecorded message. However, both the sender and the receiver need to be using text-display cell phones, and many older models may not have this feature.

Quiet Calls may become a viable option for libraries to consider. Right now, however, most patrons will not be familiar with this new technology and may not understand library signs that say, “Only Quiet Call cellphone technology is permitted in the library,” necessitating handouts and brochures to explain the concept. The other drawback to Quiet Calls cell phones is cost: This technology will undoubtedly be expensive, and patrons who can’t afford it may view this type of library policy as discriminatory.
 Cordon off the quiet
Designating a quiet space in the library for cell-phone use is another option. The University of Illinois at Chicago has pursued this type of policy with what it deems “reasonable success.” According to Interim Associate University Librarian Jay Lambrecht, the UIC library has quiet study areas where cell phones and other “devices that ring or generate audible noises” are prohibited. Although some violations do occur, Lambrecht states that peer pressure keeps the infractions to a minimum; students wanting to study are adamant about their quiet space. Without this peer pressure, most academic libraries may find it difficult to enforce the policy of a “quiet” study area. Few academic libraries can afford security personnel in the library, leaving the enforcement to library staff members, who are not always eager to get involved. One solution, cited in the September 7, 2001, issue of Business Week, involves the installation of a “Faraday cage” into the walls and ceilings of quiet study areas.

The Faraday cage is a legal way of rendering radio signals ineffective and is currently being used by hospitals such as the Mayo Clinic to maintain the proper functioning of their patients’ medical equipment. The Federal Communications Commission imposes fines up to $11,000 on individuals or organizations who use electronic jamming devices to interfere with cell-phone transmissions, but the Faraday cage, which uses a metal mesh, is passive by design and is therefore perfectly legal. Moreover, it is inexpensive: In 2001, the material cost for the Faraday cage was listed at 35 cents a square foot. Libraries that use the Checkpoint security system to protect against theft would not want to pursue the Faraday cage because it would disable the security system’s radio-wave operation. Libraries using 3M’s magnetic security system would have little or no problem as long as the metal mesh was installed at least 15 feet away from the 3M entrance/exit gateway system.
Cell-phone use in libraries is a challenge for librarians wishing to provide a quiet environment for their patrons. Decision-makers should carefully consider all the options. Each has its strengths and weaknesses, and combinations of two or more options may prove to be optimal. Indeed, the situation will likely vary from one institution to the next, so it will be difficult to develop a library policy that is fair, easy to enforce, and widely recognized. However, it is an issue that must be tackled to prevent users from learning more than they want to know about other peoples’ grocery lists, shoestrings, and crayons.

 *Cell Phones in the Stacks. By: Knecht, Michael, American Libraries, 00029769, Jun/Jul2003, Vol. 34, Issue 6 

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Resumes and Professional Letters

  • Asher, Donald. From College to Career.
  • Criscito, Pat. Designing the Perfect Resume.
  • Fournier, Myra. Encyclopedia of Job-Winning Resumes.
  • Graber, Steven. The Everything Resume Book
  • Hinds, Maurence. Resumes and Job Hunting Skills.
  • Komando, Kim. 401 Great Letters.
*All resources are located in the reference section.


Friday, April 1, 2011

                                      Ask a Librarian!!!
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  • Are you doing a research paper?

  • Do you have a comment?

  • If we do not have a book that you need in our collection, search Pascal to locate the book at another college library.  You can request the book from the other library.  It will be sent to Benedict's Library within 3 days (or within  a timely manner).  You will be notified when the book arrives.
Email your comments to Ask A Librarian.
You will receive a response in two business days (except weekends and holidays).