QUIET!: Libraries no place for phones

I am writing to you in regard to a growing community concern that is quickly building into a gnawing-at-the-nerves discomfort. You see, I spend a lot of time at the public libraries in our community, and while I am there at different times on various days, I unfortunately have been forced to listen in on numerous conversations that involve entirely too much personal information - not to mention profanity, obscenities and disturbingly emotional tirades.

I am not referring to face-to-face conversations. No, people, I am wagging my finger at those pesky cell phone users, those ruder-than-rude folks who appear to have no manners while in public sanctuaries, such as our public libraries.

Personally, I couldn't care less when someone is yakkity yikking away in a store, or at a coffee shop, or in a bar ... but for some reason, talking without a care in the world in this blessed public institute that represents calm, and peace and quiet, I don't know. I just can't seem to find tolerance for it (believe me, I have tried... and tried... and tried). And I'm pretty sure that I am not the only one.

So on behalf of my fellow library-goers, I am calling out those patrons who thoughtlessly use their cell phones in public libraries to PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CELL PHONES UPON ENTERING THE LIBRARY. Or, PLEASE TURN RINGER OFF AND CALL WHOEVER BACK WHEN OUTSIDE AGAIN. Either of these courtesies would make many people, I suspect, pleasantly happy. Thank you.

SARA WENIG

Coeur d'Alene