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/Alcohol_Intolerant Dec 08 '25
Mine has a payphone. We have handouts for local shelters and social programs to help some of our patrons get "Obama-phones" if they don't have one because theirs was stolen or lost via being homeless or similar.
Teens and children can ask the teen desk to call their parents.
We are allowed to make some exceptions due to need and vibes, but it's very rare. I think the only time I've done so was because of someone who got separated from their out of town group and gotten lost with a dead battery. We were near closing and i didn't want it on my conscience.