One thing I’ve noticed with my new job at the library is that, much like teachers, librarians and library staff get exposed to myriads of people and (presumably) millions of germs on a daily basis. Okay, maybe I’m exaggerating a bit about the myriads of people, but in truth, the place where I work is quite a busy place, especially considering its small size.

So, yes, like teachers, one of our occupational hazards is germ exposure. Patrons sneeze and cough without covering their mouth and nose with even their hand, much less their sleeve, return books with god-knows-what smeared all over them, and kids who are too sick to go to school magically have time to come do their research project at the library’s computers, thereby prompting germophobes like me to want to pull out the Lysol.

But wait. Apparently it is against policy to use any type of aerosol spray in the library, due to fear of being sued. So, for example, no, I may not spray the air with antibacterial Lysol spray even if a patron has just had a violent, mouth uncovered full-on coughing fit two feet away from me. Totally understandable policy, laudable, in fact, in that the powers that be care about the publics’ right not to breathe nasty smelling sprays that might possibly make it hard to breathe.

But then, what of the library professional’s right not to be exposed to unhealthy working conditions? Because, you see, a teacher, yes, has a similar exposure, but the difference is that she or he has the right –and the responsibility– to teach her charges the proper way, say, to cough (into one’s sleeve or elbow, so as not to spread germs into the air or onto surfaces via one’s hands). Whereas, if I were to give some of our patrons an impromptu Life Skills 101 seminar on How Not to Spread your Nasty Germs to Everyone Around You (and believe me, I would be sweet and kind, not snarky like I’m being here, but still…) …I’m sure I’d at best raise a few eyebrows or at worst get thrown out on my ear. Not to say I haven’t been tempted.

Do not we librarian-types have rights too? Do we not bleed if you cut us? Do we not get bronchitis if you cough on us?

I wonder if there have been any studies done about library-types getting sick from the constant germ exposure. That’ll have to be a research project for another day… Good thing I’m in library school! :)

Signing off this post in solidarity with all folks who work intensively with the public. May your public not cough on you. Or near you. Or on a pen which you loaned to them. Or on a computer keypad which you have to touch. With your hands.

P.S. Below is a humorous “cough in your sleeve” video. Send it to the coughers in your life. If you dare.