[Michlib-l] Replies to ...cigarette smoke-tinged books

[aldenlib at torchlake.com]

Thanks to those who responded to my questions, 12 of you in all. Some 
asked me to share the replies, so here goes.

TO CHARGE OR NOT TO CHARGE FOR DAMAGE

Many librarians told me they regard smells as the cost of doing 
business, and if the item is not damaged and can be put back on the 
shelf after treatment, they don't talk to the patron or charge them. 
Good advice!

Clare Membiela said, "I think this could be covered under your damaged 
policy - unless it can be remediated. Is it possible to remove the
odor?" Many of you told me it is possible; here's how:

METHODS

Many people put the smelly item in a closed plastic box with kitty 
litter, for a day to up to a week. Tracy Logan, Cadillac Wexford Public 
Library Director, goes a bit further, with good success: "A deodorizing 
tank can be made using a Rubbermaid tub with a tight fitting lid, kitty 
litter (clay), a cardboard box, and tape. Place a layer of kitty litter 
in the box. Clean the book's cover in your usual way. Put the books in 
the cardboard box and tape the box completely shut so litter can't get 
in. Set the cardboard box with books inside on the kitty litter and 
cover the cardboard box with another layer of kitty litter. Put the lid 
of the tub back on and let the items sit for 2-3 days depending on the 
strength of the smells. "

Kelsey Rutkowski of Indian River Area Library says they use an Arm & 
Hammer moisture absorption & odor elimination bucket from Walmart in a 
sealed plastic tote and "put dryer sheets over each item and sometimes 
between pages depending on how large the books are".

Andrea Estelle, director of Otsego District Public Library, says they 
stick a dryer sheets in the pages and put them in a Ziploc bag in the 
freezer for a week; another librarian emphasized unscented sheets to 
protect future readers with scent sensitivities.

Many responders open the books on a flat surface to air. Jessica Holman, 
Negaunee Public Library director "prefer[s] to wipe down the cover and 
stick the books in front of a fan in sunlight until the smell 
dissipates."

Candace Mahoney of Salem South Lyon District Library replied, "We have a 
'fumigation chamber' which is a large Rubbermaid tote that has a layer 
of Gonzo odor absorbing rocks on the bottom, topped with a plastic mesh 
grid. That setup occupies maybe the bottom 2 inches of the tub. We set 
the books into the bin on top of the mesh, with their pages fanned out a 
bit. The smoky smell is usually gone within a few days. We have a 
laminated sheet on top and a dry erase marker which we use to record 
which titles went in on which dates so they can be checked and 
reshelved."

Meredith Sommers of Bayliss Public Library referred to the items being 
"at the spa" during fumigation :)

Hope this information is useful!
Susan Riegler

------
Hello all,

A patron returned five books today that smell pretty smoky. This is the
third time in a few months. There's nothing in our policy that deals
with this directly. A circulation policy states: Materials damaged or
lost by a patron must be replaced by the patron.

Have you dealt with this before? Have you talked to the patron, which I
will do; and when, if you do so, do you declare the item damaged and the
patron responsible for paying for the item/s?

Thanks!

-- 
_Susan Riegler_

Susan Riegler, Director

Alden District Library

231/331-4318

-- 
_Susan Riegler_

Susan Riegler, Director

Alden District Library

231/331-4318
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