Having said that, I have a serious pet peeve about people playing their mobile tech out loud in public. Mobile devices come with headphones for a reason. Seriously, I go berserk about this. It is sooo rude! I was seated in a restaurant the other day where someone was playing a movie on their iPad out loud - no headphones. I walked out and chose a different restaurant. If I'd stayed, I would have lost it. Same with small children and hand-held gaming.

So we ask kids to "plug in". We circulate earbuds (with alcohol swabs to avoid the "Ick!" factor) and headphone splitters so our students can listen to whatever they are playing socially with their friends. When they do play their devices out loud, I treat it as a teachable moment to talk to them about civility and respect for others, and then I send them to check out earbuds. We get very few repeat offenders. 

:-)ML

On Saturday, September 5, 2015, Lynn Rappaport <lynfo16@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi colleagues:

The age old question -- how are you handling cell phones in the school library? 

Students texting? Using them for research? Listening to music?  Is your administration backing you up on the school policy? 

How many times have you heard this: "But Miss/Mr. I am using it to do my homework/check powerschool/text my Mom/Dad/boyfriend/girlfriend/Mickey Mouse."

This week I heard a funny one: 

 Student claimed she needed to look at her cell phone to complete one of those "tell me about yourself" assignments teachers ask for at the beginning of the school year. 

Question: How many of you need to consult your electronic device to find out about yourself? 😕

Just curious. It's a tough nut to crack in schools everywhere.

Thoughts and opinions? 

HAPPY LABOR DAY WEEKEND.

Regards all, 

Lynn

Lynn A. Rappaport, MLS

School Librarian