I helped out on the circulation desk this afternoon, and received the following phone call.
Me: Hello _____ Library.
Lady: Is this the library?
Me: Yes
Lady: Well I borrowed this book from you, I borrowed [Book Title] and everything was fine, I was reading it and it was fine until page 82 when there were vomit stains all over it. I mean, it looked horrible, it looks like someone vomited all over the page.”
Me: I’m sorry to hear that. Just return the book and let the person at the circulation desk know that the book needs to be taken out of circulation.
Lady: Well and then there was the other book I borrowed. I have a report to write on Jackie Robinson, for black history month see, (never mind February is over and this is clearly an older adult) and I got to this page and it looked like someone peed on it. I mean it was disgusting.
Me (remaining calm and non-chalant): Really? Well bring both those books in and let us know they need to be taken out of circulation.
Lady: I mean, I never expected to borrow books that have been peed and vomited on! I mean this is outrageous. I can’t believe this. [pause] Well, can I get another copy of the book?
Me: Yes, we can get you a copy from another library.
Lady: This is just so shocking to find books that have been peed on and vomited on! Has this ever happened to you before?
Me: No, ma’am.
Lady: Well it has now! What time are you open to tonight?
Me: We’re open until 8:30.
Lady: Ok so I’ll bring these books in today. Do you have a computer? I need to type my black history month report. Do you have a computer I can use?
Me: Yes, as long as there’s a free computer when you come in we have computers you can use.
Lady: Does it cost anything?
Me: No, ma’am.
Lady: Oh good so you have a computer I can use. Okay well I’ll come in later.
I couldn’t make this stuff up. I thought for a while that it was a prank - or that someone was testing our customer service. I warned my coworkers who were working the evening shift that this nutcase called and was planning on coming in and when my day was over I hightailed it out of there before she showed up. My coworker said, “Did you ask how she knows it’s pee and vomit?” No I didn’t think to ask that. I did wonder though if this woman had done this herself. I’m curious to hear how this panned out, if the woman even came in.
At least she didn’t call in to say she hated the plots of the books. Now THAT would be weird…although probably not infrequent I guess.