Some people seem to think all allergies are the same as a severe peanut allergy, and allergic reactions must be prevented at all costs. I have animal-dander allergies. After about 20 minutes of exposure, it's the whole sniffling-sneezing-itchy red eyes routine. If I get scratched by an animal, I get itchy red welts, and sometimes just being licked can cause small bumps to break out. Nothing life threatening, just uncomfortable, and it fades quickly once I've left the place the animal dander is (and washed my hands, because I will pet any cat who wants to be pet, allergies be damned). If I'm going someplace with animals, I take an OTC allergy med first. I wouldn't want to work under those conditions (which is why "cat in the library" is different from "dog in the office"), but I can handle being in a building where a cat lives.
If the library is vacuumed and dusted regularly, visitors with allergies should not have a problem unless they decide to read a few chapters in the cat's favorite chair, or play with the cat. If a librarian with allergies was struggling to function at work because of the cat, that would be a valid complaint. If the place isn't kept clean, that would be a valid complaint. But "could be a problem for those with allergies"? Let those with allergies decide that.
(Sorry this got long, but I keep seeing articles about trying to restrict service animals because of "allergies", and it bugs me when as an allergy-sufferer, the most I would do is ask to be seated further from the animal).
Yup, this. I have three cats. I wash my hands a lot. It is what it is. I would never not have cats, though, and if you're deadly allergic to cat/animal dander, well...you're never leaving your house, anyway.
Yeah, I have "severe" cat allergies according to my doctor, yet I live with a cat who's always sleeping on my bed. I have occasional itchy eyes and a constant runny nose but nothing I can't live with.
If the library is vacuumed and dusted regularly, visitors with allergies should not have a problem unless they decide to read a few chapters in the cat's favorite chair, or play with the cat. If a librarian with allergies was struggling to function at work because of the cat, that would be a valid complaint. If the place isn't kept clean, that would be a valid complaint. But "could be a problem for those with allergies"? Let those with allergies decide that.
(Sorry this got long, but I keep seeing articles about trying to restrict service animals because of "allergies", and it bugs me when as an allergy-sufferer, the most I would do is ask to be seated further from the animal).
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