For those of you who are on the law librarian listserv you already know that an innocent question about patrons' cellphone use set off a flurry of postings yesterday. This is always a hot button topic. The suggestions fell into 3 categories: 1. BAN them completely 2. Designate a room for cellphone use 3. technological fixes, such as offer earplugs to people disturbed by the cellphone use, use iPod w/earplugs to block the sound, use (illegal) signal blocker technology, or (my gadgetphilic suggestion) invent a personal cellphone bubble/umbrella. (Not that I'm planning on inventing it, I leave that to someone else.)
This is a problem in libraries everywhere, of course. Barco asks people to use the elevator lobby for cellphone conversations, but this rule isn't strictly enforced and when you get a couple of people on their cellphones in the elevator lobby it gets distracting for people working in the library offices. Some women use their cellphones in our restroom stalls. The central staircase is also popular.
At least one of Pitt's law professors announces in his syllabus that "If yours (cellphone) goes off audibly, you will be considered absent that day."
If anyone comes up with a good solution for managing the pesky things, they should win the Nobel Peace Prize.
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