On Thu, 23 Mar 2000 22:22:18 EST "David E. Haberstich"
<[log in to unmask]> writes:

> I agree with one message in this thread in which it was suggested
> that there may be no inherent problem with the use of cell phones per
se--the
> problem is with people talking in inappropriate situations.  If you
have a
> circumstance in which normal conversation is permissible, there should
be no
> problem with the use of a phone.....

As Carrie and I witnessed this in our galleries while doing scheduled
maintenance, we did have an overly loud visitor conducting business while
in the galleries; according to another visitor, this person's phone kept
on ringing to the point where after he received at least three phone
calls in a row, she knew where he lived, what his occupation was, and
what the business was that he was conducting.  He was still on the phone
when I approached him.  After I politely asked him to finish his
conversations in the lobby, which he promptly did, I got the impression
that he had no idea he was disturbing the other visitors.  Sometimes
people do speak loudly, and they are not cognizant that they can be heard
a mile off.   Therefore, there is nothing I can do to control this
probably natural behavior.

I agree that there is nothing inherently problematic in the use of cell
phones; it is definitely the circumstances and location in which they are
used that becomes problematic.  So the question becomes, do you set up a
disclaimer sign in the lobby instructing the visitor to speak speak
softly, and keep the cell phone on vibrate mode (not all cell phones have
this feature) or other silent mode?  Or do you make it easy for all
guests, and just prohibit their use while in the galleries so as not to
disturb other guests?  I think the second would be the polite thing to
do, and something that I can control if the director agrees to this
policy.

O
Olivia S. Anastasiadis, Curator
Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace
18001 Yorba Linda Blvd.
Yorba Linda, CA  92886
(714) 993-5075 ext. 224; (714) 528-0544
.




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