[Publib] a delicate issue

[Kathi Kemp]

The first line of defense is a written policy that addresses "Interfering with another library patron's use of the library through extremely poor personal hygiene."


--- On Tue, 11/25/08, James Casey <jcasey at oaklawnlibrary.org> wrote:

> From: James Casey <jcasey at oaklawnlibrary.org>
> Subject: RE: [Publib] a delicate issue
> To: "'imukherjee100 at qc.cuny.edu'" <imukherjee100 at qc.cuny.edu>, "publib at webjunction.org" <publib at webjunction.org>
> Date: Tuesday, November 25, 2008, 9:26 AM
> Here at Oak Lawn Public Library (south suburban Chicago) we
> spoke with the fellow and insisted that he either stay in an
> area away from other staff and patrons or leave.   The
> patron was interfering with the ability of other patrons to
> use the facility.   We also worked with our local
> "Family Services" organization that put us in
> contact with his prime care giver.   ---  As the weather
> gets colder, homeless people often gravitate to the Library
> during the day.  The odor and other problems often
> associated with that growing tragedy are frequently issues
> facing public librarians.
> 
> James B. Casey - My own views
> Director of Oak Lawn Public Library
> ALA Council Member
> 
> From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org
> [mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of
> imukherjee100 at qc.cuny.edu
> Sent: Monday, November 24, 2008 6:20 PM
> To: publib at webjunction.org
> Subject: [Publib] a delicate issue
> 
> 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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