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Tuesday, May 10, 2011

When the Rights of the Many Outweigh the Rights of the Few: The “Legitimate” Versus the Homeless Patron in the Public Library

"When the Rights of the Many Outweigh the Rights of the Few: The “Legitimate” Versus the Homeless Patron in the Public Library." Crowbold.com / Julie Murphy.
Santa Cruz: Crowbold.com, c2000.

"Homeless people can be smelly and mentally disturbed, but what many people forget is that non-homeless people can also be smelly and mentally disturbed. Because more affluent patrons claim that they pay the taxes that support the library, librarians are keen to hear their complaints about the growing numbers of homeless people in the library. Librarians must deal with these complaints on a daily basis, and must deal with the presence and aroma of the homeless as well, leading to lowered morale and less-inviting working conditions. But librarians are also conscious of the need to serve all patrons equally and provide equal access to the library itself."