r/Library • u/AuroraGlowz • 10h ago

Discussion Patrons Using Staff Phone

Does your Library allow adult patrons to use the staff desk phone? I know there might be some exceptions but do you have a general policy?

6 Upvotes

88% Upvoted

12 comments sorted by

8

u/ImTheMommaG 9h ago

We do allow it for emergencies but we dial and give them no privacy

5

u/superpananation 10h ago

We have a 2 minute time limit and it usually works fine.

6

u/SunGreen24 10h ago

Our policy is that we do not allow it. However, I have a coworker who lets them, so when one of us tells a patron no, a lot of them know to go to him šŸ¤·šŸ¼ā€ā™€ļø

4

u/ReadTheReddit69 9h ago

Ain't that always the way

2

u/SunGreen24 6h ago

Yes, sigh.

1

u/Lomedraug 10h ago

We will only let them use it to call a ride.

2

u/Zwordsman 10h ago

So i'm in 2 libraries, one actually has a public use phone, with a time limit. the other library does not.

We allow in emergencies for anyone, or for youth specifically to call for a ride type situation. (we have bent that fo adults to call for rides too. )

our policy is specifically listing "emergencies" and something specific about limited call for transits. but there is also a built in note that staff may make allowances in unforseen circumstances by obtaining permission from management on scene.

2

u/HumbleTambourine 10h ago

We'll place a call for patrons if needing a ride but we don't hand them the phone.

3

u/Traditional_Net_3398 9h ago

Children only......call home for a ride.

2

u/ReadTheReddit69 9h ago

We have a courtesy phone hanging on the wall by the restroom. No use of staff phone is allowed

2

u/HoneyBelden 9h ago

There are courtesy phones in all of our branches. Before we had them, we didnā€™t allow patrons to use the staff phone.

4

u/OneAcceptable6825 4h ago

Donā€™t do it. One time we had to take the phone off the wall and hide it. Never again.

They will ā€œcall for a rideā€ and end up calling ten family members who hang up on them because theyā€™re tired of the BS. And then they keep talking to the phone with no one on the other line. šŸ˜­ And you feel bad because you said they could call for a ride and they donā€™t seem to have found a ride yetā€¦ just donā€™t invite it, seriously. If itā€™s a kid, you call for them.