Library Web Chic

Cell
phone use in library: $1,000 fine

I am not a fan of those sonorous theme song ring tones
echoing throughout the library. However, its obvious city officials haven't read
“Your
Next Computer” an article that describes how cell phone are becoming
the computers of the future. With Instant Messaging continuing to rise libraries
need to be prepared for the onslaught of mobile technologies. Cells are ideal
for quick chat reference inquiries such as “where are the GVs?”. I wonder if
this applies to Blackberries or SmartPhones from Palm as well. I've seen more of
these of late. They can be used as a phone but also have a host of other
functions. The same can be said for a cell phone. When I can't find a scrap of
paper I typically whip out my cell and key in what I want to record in the
notepad function. Often this is in Barnes and Noble while I am search for new
things to read (I browse, capture the title, then request from the library).
There are just too many potential positive uses for these devices to ban them
completely. While I wish that cell phone users would learn a few manners, this
isn't in my mind the answer.