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THE good folks in San Luis Obispo County think the "body odor" matter has been blown out of proportion, and maybe they're right. But mentioning BO in a new county ordinance detailing the no-nos of library behavior — well, it kind of gets your attention.

Last month, the county's Board of Supervisors — in what members thought was a rather routine matter — made a local news splash by passing an ordinance prohibiting library patrons from engaging in generally obnoxious and disruptive activities.

You know, the usual rules: No screaming, no swearing, no stealing, no fighting, no Internet porn.

But the board also veered into the delicate matter of personal hygiene by listing "body odor" as grounds for expulsion from any of the county's 14 public libraries. Specifically, no "body odor constituting a nuisance."

This, of course, has direct bearing on some homeless or mentally ill people, who seek refuge in public libraries but aren't always freshly showered.

"Libraries are open to everyone, but we also have to be friendly to all. And that's a difficult thing," said library director Brian Reynolds. "We want to be open and welcoming to every-

one, but not in a fashion that any one person's behavior impedes another's ability to use the facility."

As Reynolds explains it, the board was just codifying existing library policy so local law enforcement would be able to help handle problem patrons who won't leave when asked.

Besides unruly guests, there are also the occasional visitors who have urinated or defecated on themselves, then sit on the cloth furniture.

"You can't be in the same room with them, it's just not possible," he said with a sigh.

It is also rare.

"I can think of perhaps four to six incidents over the last

10 years when we've asked someone to leave because they were just too stinky — out of 10 million visits," said Reynolds.

In those instances, and in others, library staff have dispensed cards detailing the nearest shower facilities, shelters and Laundromats.

Even if the San Luis Obiso BO