I was away when this query was placed and thought I'd contribute my
twopennorth now.
My view is:
My aim is to make the library welcoming for everyone and I'd like as
many people as possible to use the library for whatever purpose, within
reason, that they wish. To that end we allow people to eat and drink in
the library. Yes, this does mean a little more mess but, surprisingly,
not a great deal. Most people take their sandwich wrappers etc with
them. We have had a couple of thoughtless people eating curry but a
quiet word with them has always solved that problem. In our main library
room we permit talking, whether on mobiles or face to face, as that's
where we do all our business - phoning, catching up with what's going
on, etc. We don't have a library work room or office.
We now have a separate Quiet Area but find that people still talk when
using it. All I say to them is that it's fine to carry on talking but if
someone comes in and wants to study quietly they should stop talking but
can move to the main library room if they want to continue. I also tell
everyone on induction that they have the right to ask people to stop
talking if they want to study quietly. So far, this has worked fine.
Also, we find that doctors on call often sit in the library studying and
then need to answer their mobile or bleep. It's for work purposes so, as
far as I'm concerned, that's fine.
Re music in the library - we have some people who listen to music when
studying and use the speakers on the computers. I have no objection as
long as it doesn't disturb others. Also, we try to have an open week
each year with nibbles, music and a quiz/survey. Many people have
commented that they like the music playing in the background. They find
it helps them to study and also masks some of the noise made by our
phone calls, typing etc.
In short, if the use of mobiles or talking in the library or anything
else is disturbing others, I ask people to go elsewhere; if it isn't, I
let it go.
Tricia Rey
Library Services Manager
Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
East Grinstead
Tel: 01342 414266
Mailto:[log in to unmask]
-----Original Message-----
From: UK medical/ health care library community / information workers
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Roger Farbey
Sent: 13 June 2011 09:21
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Library as telephone booth
How many of your readers use their mobiles for speech in your library.
We seem to get more and more who think it's perfectly acceptable to chat
away in the Library. We have notices about mobiles but they seem to be
ignored. Does anyone else have this (burgeoning?) problem?
Roger Farbey
Head of Library & Knowledge Services
British Dental Association
64 Wimpole Street
London
W1G 8YS
Tel: 020 7563 4193
www.bda.org
____________________
INFORMATION NOTICE
Please check for viruses before accessing this email and any attachments.
This email and any attachments may contain confidential information and is intended only to be seen and used by the named addressee(s).
However, even if confidential, the information contained within it may be subject to public disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act (2000),
unless it is legally exempt from disclosure. If you are not a named addressee, any use, disclosure, copying, alteration or forwarding of this email
and any attachments is prohibited. If you have received this email in error please notify the sender immediately by email or by telephoning
01342 414000 and permanently delete this email and any attachments from your system.
The views expressed within this email and any attachments are those of the writer and are not necessarily the views or policies of
Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. Except as required by law, the Trust shall not be responsible for any damage,
loss or liability of any kind suffered in connection with this email and any attachments, or which may result from reliance on the contents of
this email and any attachments.
If you wish to make a request for information under the Freedom of Information Act (2000), please send your request to [log in to unmask]
Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Website: www.qvh.nhs.uk
E-Mail: [log in to unmask]
Switchboard: 01342 414000
IT Support: 01342 414411
______________________
|