AL Direct Quiz Regarding Cell Phones

The AL Direct I received in my mailbox yesterday contained the following poll regarding cell phones:

What is you patron cell phone policy:

A) Cell Phones must be turned off

B) Selective enforcement of excessive noise

C) Complete toleration

D) Other, please specify

At MPOW, we allow cell phones as long as the talker is not yelling or being excessive, so I chose B. I do not agree with the diction used in C. If my only choice is “toleration” then I am not sure that is what I want my library to do.

Toleration implies that you grudgingly allow something. You tolerate it, but it grates on your nerves like fingernails on a chalkboard. A better choice of words would have been “allow.” If you allow or permit something, it is acceptable and in the natural order of things.

Silly, yes, but words usually are.

–Jane, does read her AL Direct