[OPLINLIST] Payphone issues

[Nancy Koebel]

We allow patrons to use one of our desk phones, we dial the number for them.  We used to restrict long distance, but anymore, because of cell phones, they don't even know the number they call is long distance for us.  That is the issue with kids calling parents for rides or to check in.  We have had other patrons use our phone to call utility companies, etc., when they are just moving in or have had service restricted.  Our phone is on our reference desk so there is no privacy.  One time we had a young man calling a crisis hotline.  Not the most ideal, but they are grateful they can use the phone at all.


Nancy Koebel
Birchard Public Library of Sandusky County
423 Croghan St.
Fremont, OH  43420


________________________________
From: oplinlist-bounces at lists.oplin.org <oplinlist-bounces at lists.oplin.org> on behalf of Gerry Vogel <gvogel at avonlake.lib.oh.us>
Sent: Wednesday, December 9, 2015 5:58 PM
Cc: 'OPLINList' (OPLINLIST at lists.oplin.org)
Subject: Re: [OPLINLIST] Payphone issues

Two payphones (lobby and parking lot) removed by phone company about 8 and 6 years ago respectively.

Courtesy phone provided near circ desk for local calls, we ask they be short.

If patrons need to make a SHORT long distance call, they ask a desk staffer and we dial it for them.

Long distance was once an issue but not much anymore.  It is effectively a free good now.  Almost every other call is long distance, owing to our location and that many patrons who move here keep their old cell phone #s.

On Wed, Dec 9, 2015 at 3:17 PM, gretchen.persohn at odrc.state.oh.us<mailto:gretchen.persohn at odrc.state.oh.us> <gretchen.persohn at odrc.state.oh.us<mailto:gretchen.persohn at odrc.state.oh.us>> wrote:

It has been quite a while ago, but the public library I worked for had its payphone removed because it wasn’t generating enough revenue for the phone company to keep it. One staff member said “Oh get a bar phone” and then explained that many bars have a phone that you put a quarter in and make a call but it’s not a pay phone. It was located at the circulation desk and it wasn’t conducive to someone making a call in order to have a long conversation. You couldn’t call it – only call out. You buy the phone and you empty it and keep the quarters. It worked out well for us.

From: oplinlist-bounces at lists.oplin.org<mailto:oplinlist-bounces at lists.oplin.org> [mailto:oplinlist-bounces at lists.oplin.org<mailto:oplinlist-bounces at lists.oplin.org>] On Behalf Of Jim Lack
Sent: Wednesday, December 09, 2015 2:55 PM
To: Knapp, Mandy <aknapp at library.ohio.gov<mailto:aknapp at library.ohio.gov>>; OPLINTECH (OPLINTECH at lists.oplin.org<mailto:OPLINTECH at lists.oplin.org>) <OPLINTECH at lists.oplin.org<mailto:OPLINTECH at lists.oplin.org>>; 'OPLINList' (OPLINLIST at lists.oplin.org<mailto:OPLINLIST at lists.oplin.org>) <OPLINLIST at lists.oplin.org<mailto:OPLINLIST at lists.oplin.org>>
Subject: Re: [OPLINLIST] Payphone issues

We provide a courtesy phone in our lobby and then limit the outbound calls to just the local area codes in our area.  We disable the ability to dial 800 numbers.  The greeter then keeps an eye on how long people are on the phone.

From: oplintech-bounces at lists.oplin.org<mailto:oplintech-bounces at lists.oplin.org> [mailto:oplintech-bounces at lists.oplin.org] On Behalf Of Knapp, Mandy
Sent: Wednesday, December 09, 2015 2:25 PM
To: OPLINTECH (OPLINTECH at lists.oplin.org<mailto:OPLINTECH at lists.oplin.org>); 'OPLINList' (OPLINLIST at lists.oplin.org<mailto:OPLINLIST at lists.oplin.org>)
Subject: [OPLINTECH] Payphone issues

Hello all,

I hope this day finds you well. I was contacted by a library recently with an issue that I’ve sure others of you have faced: the payphone. This particular payphone was located in a branch that serves a lot of low income patrons, many of whom cannot afford their own phone. The library is trying to decide whether or not to keep the payphone and wants to explore their options. What technology is your library using to assist patrons needed/wanting to make short voice calls?

Do you A)Let patrons use the library business phone B) Keep the payphone c) Provide a free courtesy phone C) Update to a new solution such as Skype or Google D)Provide information about the Lifeline Free Phone program<http://www.lifelinesupport.org/ls/> E)Something I haven’t thought of?

What advice would you give this library?

Best,

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Mandy Knapp
Library Consultant
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Columbus, OH 43201
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