GEN: Telephone Problems

[Madeline Buchanan <mlbuchan@SCOTT.NET>]

The only telephone at my school that teachers can use in privacy is the
telephone in the library workroom.  This phone is connected to the school's
telephone system so that any call is answered in the main office and then
forwarded to the library.  Some of the teachers spend every break on the
telephone and get very angry with me if I have to go into the workroom to
get supplies, pick up a fax (the school's fax machine is also located
there) or am doing a project in there.  One has even told me off in front
of students and other teachers.  They will close the door and stay for
extended periods of time.

Another problem is that there is no way to put an answering machine on this
phone so when it rings I must stop what I am doing to answer it.  If I am
working with a class it disrupts the class.  Many times it is vendors who
won't take no for an answer and I spend valuable instructional time trying
to tell them I'm not interested.

I have asked the principal to relocate the telephone in the teacher's
lounge so that the teachers will have a private place to make calls.  I
tried to explain to her that I need to use the workroom to complete library
tasks and do not appreciate the remarks I get when I won't leave.  She says
the library is for everyone to use and I need to plan my activities so that
I can leave the workroom if someone needs to make a private call.  The
Faculty Advisory Committee has asked for a telephone in the teacher's
lounge for quite a while with no results.  I would gladly give up the
telephone if it were relocated as I have two modem lines which I could use
for library business.  I have an answering machine on one of the modem
lines which is a direct line and could give that number out as the library
number.

If anyone has any suggestions, please email me at mlbuchan@scott.net


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 Madeline L. Buchanan         Voice:  (205) 838-7620, 838-7666 or 838-7673
 Library Media Specialist     Fax:    (205) 838-7622
 W. J. Christian School       Email:  mlbuchan@scott.net
 Birmingham, Alabama          http://www.scott.net/~mlbuchan/
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