Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Something every library needs

I have complained over and over about the use of cell phones in the library. The patron who comes up to the desk while chatting on the phone and is talking and asking you a question at the same time, with no respect to either whoever is on the phone or you. The patron who is sitting at the computer talking to their buddies and annoying everyone around them. Or even better, the patron sitting at the computer talking to whoever giving out their name, address, social security number, date of birth - while everyone around them is listening.

I mentioned it towards end of this Dear Library Patron post, and I mentioned it again in this WTF rant post.

But, I have found the PERFECT thing for libraries everywhere. A Cell Phone Jammer!! This little doohickey will disable cell phone signals. Yup, it's that simple!

There is just ONE tiny little problem... They are illegal to buy and sell in the United States. And according to Wikipedia, you could accrue fines up to $11,000 and be imprisoned for up to a year for operating, manufacturing, importing, selling or advertising a Cell Phone Jammer.

Read the New York Times article about this product.

4 comments:

Arielle Lee Bair said...

See, now THAT is something that should be LEGAL. Such a shame.

I saw you are reading A Thousand Splendid Suns. I'm nearly done with The Kite Runner and that book is next on my list! How do you like it?

Arielle

a real librarian said...

I'm only actually a couple chapters into it, but so far it's really good! I LOVED The Kite Runner, and have heard A Thousand Splendid Suns is better!

Carrie said...

I have a great pic for you about annoying cell phone peeps, but am too 'tarded to know how to post on comments. Will have to add to my own blog soon.

Must also admit to having avoided Kite Runner because was so sick of all the hype that I thought I would barf. I have heard it is good, and since I cannot find a copy of Other People's Kids without Amazon and I am in a reading desert lately, perhaps I shall have to pick up.

Davin said...

Yeah I don't care much for the person on the phone in the library...get a CLUE!!! I also don't like when they pick up their cell phones and put their hand over their mouth, only to make a really loud muffled sounding voice.