Spring Break
Kenny Chesney, 50-Cent, Shakira, Coldplay and many other music artists have made an appearance in the McIntyre Library. The sounds of students' conversations may follow with each beat.
McIntyre Library compromises on cell phone usage
Emily Diehl
Issue date: 12/11/06 Section: Money/Health
Kenny Chesney, 50-Cent, Shakira, Coldplay and many other music artists have made an appearance in the McIntyre Library. The sounds of students' conversations may follow with each beat.
The tunes of cell phones ring and some students answer as if they're in the confinement of their home. As students enter the library they are met with the sign, "Please be considerate of others and limit cell phone usage while in the library."
What does "limit cell phone usage" mean?
"There is no official rule on cell phone use in the library," said Christopher Cox, interim library director.
He said the first and second floors tend to have higher noise levels than the third, fourth and fifth.
"The fourth floor is silent and no one receives service in the basement," said sophomore Allison Muer, who spends three to four hours a day in the library. The ring tones might be a distraction for students who are trying to get their work done, she added.
Many students agreed, saying they put their phones on vibrate.
"You should be able to feel it, not hear it," Muer said.
Although the noise can be annoying, freshman Kelsey Carlson said it doesn't bother her if people talk for a few minutes in a low voice.
"I always try to be respectful of other students, so I go outside of the library to talk on my phone," she said.
There are 208 million cell phone users in America, according to Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association. This might be a problem for students who frequently use their cell phones, but the library has plenty of open space to accommodate students.
"There are five floors; you can find another spot," Carlson said.
If space isn't the issue, how do cell phone users know what is appropriate for use in a place like the library?
"Our library trend is different than most public libraries; we interact with information and social space," Cox said. "We don't want to disrupt others but we want it to be comfortable for everyone."
The tunes of cell phones ring and some students answer as if they're in the confinement of their home. As students enter the library they are met with the sign, "Please be considerate of others and limit cell phone usage while in the library."
What does "limit cell phone usage" mean?
"There is no official rule on cell phone use in the library," said Christopher Cox, interim library director.
He said the first and second floors tend to have higher noise levels than the third, fourth and fifth.
"The fourth floor is silent and no one receives service in the basement," said sophomore Allison Muer, who spends three to four hours a day in the library. The ring tones might be a distraction for students who are trying to get their work done, she added.
Many students agreed, saying they put their phones on vibrate.
"You should be able to feel it, not hear it," Muer said.
Although the noise can be annoying, freshman Kelsey Carlson said it doesn't bother her if people talk for a few minutes in a low voice.
"I always try to be respectful of other students, so I go outside of the library to talk on my phone," she said.
There are 208 million cell phone users in America, according to Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association. This might be a problem for students who frequently use their cell phones, but the library has plenty of open space to accommodate students.
"There are five floors; you can find another spot," Carlson said.
If space isn't the issue, how do cell phone users know what is appropriate for use in a place like the library?
"Our library trend is different than most public libraries; we interact with information and social space," Cox said. "We don't want to disrupt others but we want it to be comfortable for everyone."
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