The "Library as canteen" issue is a different question from that of zoning areas for different levels of noise, but in some ways the conflicts are parallel. They are some readers who feel that the Library should be their canteen. I have some sympathy for those who regret seeing their former confidential staff canteen transformed by hospital managers into a profit spinner promoted to visitors and patients.
So the pressure point for grabbing food during and between shifts can switch to the Library. We might welcome this as keeping us relevant. However, whilst it's easy to calculate the numbers of readers wanting to eat food in the library, we do not know how many readers object to it unless we survey. Indeed, if food is allowed in a policy free drift, we may never know how many readers we have already lost, moving out as soon as the food moved in.
If we can zone, that's fine. But now we're zoning for noise/silence as well as food/no food. That's 4 zones already. OK perhaps in HE: in a hospital, probably unviable. If the majority of our readers want to eat and drink in integrated reading areas, then follow the logic: tear up the carpets and wood, lay down easy wipe surfaces throughout and draw up a cleaning contract with canteen standard provision.
When selecting a profession, I decided that I didn't have the correct range of skills for a catering manager. I pay full respect to those who have chosen such a tough and challenging profession, but it wasn't my career choice.
Colin Engel
Deputy Library Manager
T: +44 (0)1384 321084 | F: +44 (0)1384 321084
E: [log in to unmask] | W: http://www.dudleygroup.nhs.uk
Library Services
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Dudley Group NHSFT
Russells Hall Hospital
Dudley DY1 2HQ
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Library Services - Sourcing and Delivering Evidence
-----Original Message-----
From: UK medical/ health care library community / information workers [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Bryant Mark (RHX) OLDT
Sent: 24 June 2011 10:44
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Library as telephone booth
Hooray for the voice of reason!
Mark Bryant
Outreach Librarian
Oxfordshire Learning Disability NHS Trust (Ridgeway Partnership)
Dermot Rowe Library
Slade House
Horspath Driftway
Headington
Oxford
OX3 7JH
Tel: 01865 228068
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
Web: www.ridgeway.nhs.uk
Librarians are the secret masters of the universe
-----Original Message-----
From: UK medical/ health care library community / information workers [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Rey Patricia
Sent: 24 June 2011 10:20
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Library as telephone booth
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
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