Summary

Librarians have encountered a variety of unpleasant and inappropriate items left in library books by patrons.

Abstract

The article titled "Bookmarks From Hell" highlights the unsavory discoveries made by librarians while processing returned books, ranging from dead animals and used personal items to food remnants and adult content. These findings include a dead frog, a used band-aid, leaking ketchup, nail clippings, bedbugs, a tampon, baby cockroaches, bacon, boogers, a used Q-Tip, a used condom, an IUD, a grilled cheese sandwich, dental floss, toilet paper, an ad for lap dances in a children's book, a dirty diaper, pornographic photos, a slice of bologna, and more. The author, Roz Warren, humorously advises patrons to dog-ear pages instead of using such unsanitary bookmarks, and promotes her book "Our Take a Collection of Library Humor" for those seeking laughter during prolonged periods at home.

Opinions

The author expresses exasperation and humor regarding the inappropriate items found in library books.
There is a clear call to action for library patrons to be more considerate and use conventional methods, like dog-earing pages, instead of leaving personal items.
The article implies that library work, while often perceived as tranquil, can involve dealing with unexpected and distasteful situations.
The inclusion of an ad for lap dances in a children's book is noted as particularly alarming and inappropriate.
The author uses a light-hearted tone to address the issue, suggesting that laughter might be a coping mechanism for the peculiar challenges faced by librarians.

Bookmarks From Hell

Unsavory, Alarming and Downright Nasty Things Librarians Have Found In Library Books

Do you think of library work as always placid and pleasant? Then think about having to handle the following objects which were found in returned library books:

A dead frog

A used band-aid

A leaking Ketchup packet.

Nail clippings

Bedbugs

A tampon

A dozen baby cockroaches

Bacon

Boogers

A used Q-Tip

A used condom (In a Bible!)

An IUD.

A grilled cheese sandwich

Dental Floss

Toilet Paper

An ad for lap dances (in a children’s book!)

A dirty diaper

Pornographic photos

A slice of bologna

Attention library patrons! The next time you’re tempted to mark your place in one of our books with insects, snacks, porn or anything that used to be part of your body? Please do us library workers a big favor and JUST DOG-EAR THE @#$% PAGE!

(This essay is included in Just Another Day At Your Local Public Library by Roz Warren, who writes for everyone from the Funny Times to the New York Times and is also the author of Our Bodies, Our Shelves: A Collection of Library Humor If you want to buy inscribed copies, ask Roz to speak at your library’s next “In Service” day, or just want to say hi, you can reach her at [email protected])

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Unsavory, Alarming and Downright Nasty Things Librarians Have Found In Library Books

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