Rules are rules

I found this article via Jessamyn West blog which looked at Ed Bilodeau blog, with a post entitled Tired of your library being littered with food and garbage? Do something about it!. In the post he discusses patrons using phones, littering and eating within a library, even when there are signs saying these things are not allowed. I'm very much of the school that these rules should be adhered to, but other members of staff are less stringent. As I work within a prestigous research library the worst rule seems to be the need to use a phone. Constantly pointing people to phone use area's is a constant bind, but I feel these rules are there for a rule (the rule being people are studying within a peaceful environment). Many staff members are less fastidous than myself, but a dual policy of 'good cop, bad cop' often causes patrons to be confused by the message. Therefore, although people may complain I do enforce the policy.
Anyhow, any other librarians suffer similar difficulties?

The return of CIPA

CIPA or the Children's Internet Protection Act which was a bills that the United States Congress proposed to limit children's exposure to pornography and explicit content online. Seems Jessamyn West found out someone has challenge the ruling. An interesting legal case seems likely.

Patriot act extended

(Found via here). Seems the Patriot Act is being extended until 2011. Great.

Jessamyn West on Boing Boing for 1 week only

Jessamyn West is writing on Boing Boing for one week only. I look forward to reading a bibliblogosphere writer being on there.

Unquiet History podcast

Librarian.net introduced me to an interesting podcast [whoops error, digital recording], entitled Unquiet History, which follows on from Matthew Battles book of the same name. When I finally get my ipod touch might even get to listen to it.

Ubuntu

After watching Jessamyn West, I was inspired to add Ubuntu to my pc laptop. Unfortantely, I need to sort out the wi-fi drivers, but its better than windows (i am a mac user so forgive me). Anyhow, great video Jessamyn.