[Publib] a delicate issue

[Marsha Howard]

I think the response from James overlooked your indication that this is not
a homeless person.

Having worked for years in NYPL branches I well understand the
unpleasantness and delicacy of the issue. I have a 96 year old mother and I
know that as some people age their hygiene, for one reason or another, may
slip--incontinence, difficulty in getting in and out of a tub are just a
couple of reasons. Sometimes they seem totally unaware of their condition
and sometimes perhaps unwilling to acknowledge it.

Do you have a senior center in your area where you can consult with a social
worker? They may be able to give you some tactful language. Perhaps they
know the individual, know if this person has any family who can intercede?

If all else fails, for the sake of the staff, (and I remember how my staff
complained!), and the other patrons, you or your supervisor must talk with
this person. It has to be done privately and tactfully. Perhaps something
along the lines of  "when you visit the library we have complaints regarding
body odor. We really value your presence in the library but must ask you to
remedy this situation because it causes distress." That's just off the top
of my head. If you have to do this yourself, you might want to be prepared
with a referral to a social service agency. Maybe the person needs to have
an aide come in to help with bathing (and who knows what else). There are
social service agencies who can provide an aide at low cost and even free of
charge.

You need to tread carefully because people sometimes react in unexpected
ways. If you try to bar the person or do anything too drastic you may find
yourselves in the middle of a law suit.

Marsha Howard
Poets House


2008/11/24 <imukherjee100 at qc.cuny.edu>

> Hi everyone,
>
>
>
> Is anyone out there who can help us in dealing with a senior patron whose
> arrival turns the library into an intolerable odor-polluted place?  This
> customer is undoubtedly a fiction/best seller reader and used to be one of
> our regulars. We tried our level best by spraying around room freshener upon
> her departure. In the beginning staff members complained but now things are
> getting out of hand as other patrons started complaining too. It's
> definitely not a "homeless" issue. Any suggestion on how to deal with this
> matter in a legitimate and professional way would be really helpful. Thanks
> in advance.
>
>
>
> Indira Mukherjee
>
>
>
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