[Publib] a delicate issue

[Roslyn Yerman]

I can appreciate this perspective.  I have a full time staff member who 
is also affected by certain stronger perfumes, and she either tolerates 
the fragrance during the course of the reference interaction as best she 
can,  or defers the patron to another librarian.  There were two 
instances where part-time staff were approached about their fragrance 
for that reason, but as you suggest, that's a daily interaction.  I also 
attend synagogue services with a woman who wears quite a bit of perfume, 
which often announces her arrival for her.

Chris Ely wrote:
>
> Let me present the other side of the coin. It's still odor pollution, 
> but many people wouldn't think so because it doesn't affect them.
>
> I have three patrons who apparently bathe in perfume before leaving 
> their homes. I'm sure their perfume is quite lovely, but as a migraine 
> and allergy sufferer, their visits can leave me ill for days. My 
> current part-timer isn't affected by it, so if he's here, he waits on 
> them. Even so, lurking in the workroom a good 12 feet from the front 
> desk can still leave me overwhelmed.
>
> I'm not saying everyone should stop wearing perfume, as most perfume 
> wearers don't bother me during brief interactions, but some might want 
> to consider not being quite so "generous" with sharing their favorite 
> scent. I've found a light citrus air freshener than helps a bit (and 
> also helps with the other type of odor), but so far, we haven't said 
> anything to anyone. I did have to ask the part-timer not to wear a 
> particular fragrance, but since that's a daily interaction and not 
> something every few weeks, it's a bit different.
>
> Has anyone spoken to a patron about "smelling too good" before?
>
> Chris Ely
>
> =====================
> Whitewright Public Library, Whitewright, Texas
> www.whitewright.lib.tx.us <http://www.whitewright.lib.tx.us/>  
> <librarian at whitewright.lib.tx.us>
>
> "Pathetic human race. Arranging their knowledge by category just made 
> it easier to absorb. Dewey, you fool, your decimal system has played 
> right into my hands." Futurama
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
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-- 
Roslyn Yerman
Director
Madison Heights Public Library
240 W. 13 Mile Road
Madison Heights, MI 48071

tel:  (248) 837-2852
fax:  (248) 588-2470

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