Library designates areas for cell phone use

Specific areas in the Andruss Library have been designated as appropriate for receiving and making cell phone calls. Those areas are:

• The "Gathering Place" (adjacent to Starbucks)
• The Lobby between the front doors and the turnstiles
• The enclosed stairwells on the perimeter of the building

By designating these spaces only as "cell friendly" the Library faculty and staff hope to facilitate reasonable cell phone use and restore the majority of Library to being a space that better meets the purpose for which it is intended. In the spirit of cooperation, the Library personnel request that you set your phone's ringer to a courteous low volume or on vibrate when you are in the building.

This change comes after input gathered nn the Fall of 2006, when the Andruss Library faculty conducted a comprehensive study to assess its strengths and weaknesses. They were surprised to learn that the biggest complaint by students was cell phone use by students. Simply, students who come to the library to study, conduct research or work on assignments found the ringing of cell phones and the conversations disruptive and annoying. Although the library has long had a policy prohibiting cell phone use, library staff and faculty have found it very difficult to enforce. Some students try to find a place to conduct their cell phone conversations where they will not disturb others but many did not. After extended conversations, the library personnel have proposed that rather than completely banning cell phone use, they needed to designate specific areas within the building where cell phones can be used.