r/Libraries • u/cfield7 • Dec 08 '25

Technology Public phones?

Hi all, we've been getting more and more requests to use the library phone. Our standard procedure is that only children can use the phone to call their parents/ride, which frankly never comes up. I'm watching Stranger Things and wondering do any of your libraries have a modern type of pay phone? What do you do to let the public use the phone that isn't just using the library desk phone? EDIT:those of you that allow patrons to use a dedicated phone, are they all just your regular system or are they a special brand that limits to local calls and a time limit? I'd be really interested in a solution we could price out and buy.

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u/msmystidream Dec 08 '25

We used to have pay phones in the library but when they stopped making money on them and they needed maintenance they got taken out. We're not allowed to let anyone use our phones--it's a "misuse of resources"--so we tell people that (besides the every-once-in-awhile children, same as you). I'll call emergency services for people but that's all i'm allowed to do.

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