Remember when libraries were cathedrals of quiet, a bygone era when even a whispered conversation resulted in a stern look from a no-nonsense librarian?
Today, libraries are just another place subject to a cacophonous buzz, from the clicking of 12 year olds texting like mad on their phones to their older siblings grooving along to a disco beat on earphones connected to an iPod that has the volume turned up WAY TOO LOUD.
So, I guess it's not much of a surprise that the folks who run the Air Combat Command library at Moody Air Force Base in Georgia has a request for proposals out on the street for an intercom and paging system . . . for a library.
Why, oh why, do librarians need to page each other?
If you have any idea, please let me know.
COMMENTS
It sounds like we're ganging up on Bob but the company I work for provides onsite wireless paging systems to libraries across the country. (Shameless Plug Alert: Click my name below for more info) There are several valuable uses for a paging system. They use the pagers for staff and patrons alike as some of the previous posts express.
The biggest use is for computer usage or for popular reference materials that can't be removed from the library. When there's a wait to use these items, patrons can put their name on a list and take a pager. While they wait for their turn, the can go anywhere in the library to study, research, read, etc. knowing that they will be paged and won't lose their place in line. This also makes efficient use of everyone's time as the item is sitting idle for as short a time as possible.
Some libraries also use alphanumeric messaging to notify staff when they are needed as Clark Bruce Kidd mentioned in his post.
Jason Barge 11/18/09 06:37 pm ET
Although not required for existing buildings, new construction is required to have a mass notification system. It doesn't sound like what they're asking for but an MNS ties into the fire alarm system and can override the fire alarm system in the event of a terrorist attack in order to keep people from rushing outside during a false fire alarm.
ironroom 09/30/09 10:17 am ET
It makes perfect sense to have an intercom/paging system in a library, especially if it is a large library.
Several decades ago I worked for my universities' library. We used an intercom system then. For example, from the front desk, part of the job was to announce to patrons: "The library will be closing in 15 minutes." And then: " The library is now closed" meaning "please leave so we can go home." Also, the library covered 4 floors and was sort of like a labyrinth, it snaked around all over the place. If you were trying to reach a particular employee or administrator with any urgency, the only practical method was to use the intercom system and page them to report to the front service desk.
Clark Bruce Kidd 09/28/09 11:29 am ET
Actually, the paging system isn't for the library staff it's for the patrons.
Moody AFB Library is located in the Moody Learning Resource Center, which means that we are co-located with the Education Center. The paging system in question is meant for the entire building and would allow paging to specific rooms and areas of the facility. The paging system isn't a "fix" for interaction with patrons nor is it an attempt to be technologically hip, it's a method for information delivery. For example, changes in FPCON or weather conditions.
I'm surprised that an improvement to customer service is viewed as an attempt at relevance. From my perspective this issue isn't about the potential death of the book or the decline of patrons reading materials in print; it's about keeping base personnel apprised of threat levels. Being cognizant of terrorism levels is part of the daily routine for staff members of military libraries and their patrons.
For the record, the newly renovated library here at Moody has a Quiet Reading Room. Group study, cell phone use, and loud sounds from a laptop or MP3 player will garner more than just a stern look should it occur in that area of the library.
Holly May
Library Director, Moody AFB Library
Holly May 09/28/09 09:43 am ET
A request for an intercom and paging system for an Air Force Base library, sounds like a pretty good use of taxpayer money, to me.
You see, we ask so much of our service personnel; who give of themselves, their families, and even their own civil liberties ... in defense of our own. A base library is a way for military members to improve their education, transport themselves via literature to another place or time, or serve as a communication nexus, providing computers with internet access to the troops.
Yet these troops are still on standby, ready to deploy in support of our freedoms, or in the enforcement of national policy. Being able to receive an alert call at the library desk, and page all patrons to return to their units ... seems a small price to pay, to provide such great benefits that a library offers.
The alternative to having a paging system, is that when on alert, military members are not allowed to visit the library, since they could not be instantly contacted to respond. That's not a very humane option, in my opinion; but then again, I wore a uniform for 20 years, and used a base library to help obtain a college degree during nights and weekends. Support for the troops can take many different forms; and I would encourage all citizens to support those who support our freedom.
Jim Byrom
USAF, Retired
Jim Byrom 09/24/09 09:58 am ET
It's not completely stupid. They have break rooms, loading docks, etc., where the quiet rule is not enforced. I do agree with the original comments, though--the local library, in order to be "relevant", has descended to that level of nonsense. Too bad.
What happens to our society, I wonder, if all of a sudden all the electronic stuff just wasn't there (think EMP, or failure of grid power, etc.)? Would the society be able to actually read and write? Would it be able to function as a society?
arclight 09/24/09 08:06 am ET