On the contrary, library enforces cell phone rules

The Ithaca Journal
Guest Column May 16, 2008
by Janet Steiner, Director of Tompkins County Public Library

I would like to commend Guest Columnist Fay Gougakis for her guest column on the public use of cell phones and laptops (“Use of cell phones, laptops must change,” April 28). Gougakis' article was colorful and articulate, and in many ways, I am sure many of us can relate to her frustrations with regard to the growing trend of cell phone and laptop use in public places. Some of us have been held up at the grocery store by someone in line at the checkout who is more concerned with their phone call than with selecting “paper or plastic,” and even more disturbing is the trend of drivers talking and texting their way from destination to destination. I do, however, take exception with Gougakis' assertion that the Tompkins County Public Library is “not doing much” to curb disruptions by cell phone and laptop users.

While the library does allow cell phone use, we have adopted the following rules to minimize disruptions: Patrons must respect the quiet of the library by turning off ringers while inside the building, using two-way (text messaging) whenever possible and keeping all calls brief and quiet. These rules are posted on the library's Web site and on signs prominently displayed throughout the library, including a sign at the front entrance and at every Internet workstation.

According to an article in the July 2006 Library Journal, libraries that have attempted to ban cell phones in an effort to stem the din have quickly found out that it is better to ban loud behavior rather than ban Blackberries, text messaging and Web browsing, all of which is done on cell phones and cause no noise. In fact, libraries are seeking ways to incorporate all kinds of hand-held devices to get information into the hands (literally) of our users.

The library does not, nor have we ever, tolerated excessive noise by anyone regardless of whether or not they are using a cell phone, and our security guards enforce this rule of behavior.

As the needs of society change, so must the role of public libraries. Patrons no longer rely on libraries only as places of silent study but instead use us as a place to engage in lively book discussions, peruse art exhibits and enhance access to cultural experiences through community-centered public programming.

With those needs in mind, the library works diligently to find a balance for those looking for a place for quiet study and personal reflection and those looking for enriching social experiences. Our four study rooms and the Ezra Cornell Reading Room serve as our quietest spaces, while our BorgWarner and Thaler/Howell programming rooms are used as hubs for enriching library and community programs.

In response to Gougakis' concerns, we have explained our cell phone policy to the Tompkins County Legislature and individual legislators at least six times over the past few years. Our library board of trustees reviewed our policy on cell phone usage several times, and Gougakis was given the opportunity to speak to this matter at one of our board meetings. As Gougakis can attest, we have tried to meet the needs of individual patrons who require a less lively atmosphere. We have offered her the use of earphones, provided her with a schedule of our children's programs, so that she could schedule her visit around these typically noisier times and waived our policy on the use of one of our computers so she could use the Internet relatively undisturbed. We have not, however, banned cell phones from the library, nor do we plan to do so.

The Tompkins County Public Library is committed to meeting the varied needs of our patrons, and we are proud to foster an environment that offers experiences as diverse as those who use us!

TCPL Information Treasures Revealed

The Ithaca Journal
April 23, 2007
by Lawrence Carey, Adult Services Librarian

The Tompkins County Public Library, with the support of our community, has developed into a state-of-the-art center for learning, entertainment and self-improvement. Your library offers you personalized service from dedicated staff, access to organized information and library materials, all in a comfortable facility.

But, did you know that much of the library's electronic (digital) information and services are available over the Internet through the library Web site at http://www.tcpl.org/? We have become a virtual library by enabling remote access from any computer connected to the Internet. This virtual online information is available to you 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and gives you the ability to search the library catalogue, access your library account to renew and reserve items, ask reference questions, read about library news, events and exhibits, and much more.

Also available is a virtual treasure trove of information, which can be described as “specialized collections of searchable digital information,” often referred to as “databases.” These databases are comprised of a vast amount of information that is not readily available by searching the Internet, and they are comprised of full-text searchable archives of magazines, newspapers, books, documents and other reference sources.

In today's age of open access to information it is unfortunate that people in our community, and many communities around the nation, are not aware of the wealth of specialized online information available to them from libraries. Many people are relying primarily on free Internet information using search engines such as Google for their information needs. However, as a librarian I often meet people who look everywhere for information, even using Google, and come up empty-handed. Yet when I show them how easily they could find exactly what they need in a library database, they are amazed and delighted.

Perform a Google search for Consumer Reports reviews and get an offer to buy a subscription to their magazine to access the reviews. Search the library's online magazine database collection and connect to 9,611 full-text Consumer Reports articles from 1991 to present, for free. A Google search for Newsweek articles will result in an offer to purchase articles for $2.95 each or 25 articles for $35.00. Connect to our online resources and gain access to 81,733 full-text Newsweek articles from 1990 to present. Hard to believe? Yet these are only two examples of a multitude of specialized information treasures available to you from our library.

Our library subscribes to a wide variety of specialized databases that can be accessed in the library or virtually by remote access with a Tompkins County Public Library card. To access this information go to the library Web site at http://www.tcpl.org/, click on “Magazines and Databases Online” and enter the barcode number on the back of your library card. All of our database collections offer organized, reliable and searchable information that is not available on the “free” Internet. If you need assistance or have questions about accessing our online collections, visit or call the reference desk at 272-4556.

To quote Mel Brooks, “It's Good To Be King.” Well, it's good being a librarian. Having the opportunity to bring relevant information to the lives of so many people in our community makes me feel like a “virtual” prince of knowledge.
Some of the Information treasures that await you:

• Rosetta Stone — Learn one or more of 30 languages online through this interactive language program. Select a language and choose a language skill you want to develop: listening comprehension, reading, speaking or writing.
• MasterFILE Premier Magazines and Newspapers — Access to 1,700 full-text magazines, newspapers and journals, 500 reference books, 84,000 biographies, 5,000 book reviews and an image collection of 202,164 photos.
• Reference USA — Search 14 million U.S. and 1 million Canadian Businesses by name, location and industry type, size and yellow page heading. A valuable resource for company research, marketing and business start-up. Also search 120 million U.S. households by name, address, phone number, zip code, street and much more.
• NoveList Fiction Guide — A fiction reader's guide to finding new authors and titles. Allows readers to select a favorite author or title as a starting point to locate other authors and titles of interest. Browse more than 1,200 theme-oriented book lists, 160 awards lists and 1,800 fiction related Web sites.
• HeritageQuest Online Genealogy — Research family history from 20,000 books, the entire U.S. Federal Census from 1730-1930 and 1.9 million genealogy and local history articles.
  

Lawrence Carey is an Adult Services Librarian at the Tompkins County Public Library. The TCPL's column appears on the fourth Monday of each month.