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 . ________________________________________________________________ YOU'RE PAYING TOO MUCH FOR THE INTERNET! Juno now offers FREE Internet Access! Try it today - there's no risk! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj. ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).