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SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. -- A new county law aims to keep readers from reeking. Libraries in San Luis Obispo County have had their own rules banning offensive body odor since 1994, but the policy became law after the Board of Supervisors last month adopted an ordinance that lets authorities kick out malodorous guests.

Visitors to 14 libraries and a bookmobile also could be asked to leave for fighting, eating, drinking, sleeping, playing games, and printing or viewing illegal materials on library computers.

"The point is to make the library a comfortable, safe place for everyone to use," said Moe McGee, assistant director of the San Luis Obispo City-County Library.

A strict code of conduct, officials argue, is needed to ensure one patron's right to use a public library doesn't infringe on the rights of another.

Yet the law can raise tough questions for librarians, said Irene Macias, Santa Barbara's library services manager.

"What is bad odor?" Macias asked. "A woman who wears a strong perfume? A person who had a garlicky meal?"
does this mean that someone with a liver disorder in need of medical info or has had the misfortune of having his home taken from him and really needs to know what to do can be denied the right to use a public libary? lets face it the general public can stink. those that have the money to buy their book dont use the libary. those that dont and are in need of information use the public libary. then of course there's that small bunch of elitists that have nothing better to do than to try and raise human standards above the reach of all humans but themselves.

how do you feel?