Do you know where that book has been?

When it comes to library materials, you expect that they aren't always in great condition. When books get used, they show wear. Bindings break, covers get worn, pages fall out. It doesn't usually bother me because it means that people are reading the books, and that's what we want, right? Part of my job is to examine the books that come back damaged beyond the usual wear and tear. I have to decide if they can be repaired or if they need to be/can be replaced. And since our circulation is way up, I'm seeing a lot more damaged materials. This can be fun because there are usually some interesting items. The majority of books that I see are just typical broken bindings, torn covers-things you would expect. But occasionally I'll get an audiobook that looks like someone used it as a Frisbee with their dog. Or, I can tell when a book has been to the beach because little particles of sand fall out. Sometimes I like to play "guess that stain." This amuses me. What does not amuse me? When a book is returned, labeled as "water damage" and I find that it is not, in fact, water at all. Or coffee, or juice. But what looks suspiciously like urine. First, gross. Second, how on earth did this happen? How does a book get urine on it? And third, why did you return it?

I'm not usually a big germaphobe, but this? Almost makes me want to start wearing gloves.