Library staffs deal with patrons' body odor, other issues

The list includes gambling, fighting, sleeping, having sex, bathing in the public restrooms, carrying weapons, yelling and "having bodily hygiene that is so offensive as to constitute a disturbance to other customers using the library."

"For the last 20 or more years, Albany's libraries have served as a community meeting place, live performance venue, internet service provider, and sometimes as the first step in finding social services," Albany Public Library Executive Director Scott Jarzombek said.

The county library barred patrons who have "an unacceptable standard of hygiene" in the early 2000s, after a repeat offender drove off patrons, Bradley said.

Saratoga Springs' policy makes no mention of body odor or personal hygiene but the Troy Public Library's rules warn against patrons "having bodily hygiene that is so offensive as to disturb other customers' use of the library."

At the Schenectady County Public Library, Bradley said staff members have "difficult" conversations with patrons every day.

A sheriff's deputy, posted inside the county's central library in Schenectady, is available to help settle significant disputes.Employees also wanted to know to handle the situations themselves, Bradley said.

On Thursday, mental health professionals from Ellis Hospital trained employees from all nine branches how to work with patrons who may have mental health issues or developmental disabilities, Bradley said.

The hospital staff also suggested a list of social services where library employees can refer patrons in need.

Library employees are trained to ask what is causing a patron's body odor, have a printed copy of the behavior policy on hand and, if needed, offer referrals for social services, including locations where a person can shower and get new clothes, Simon said.