Pests in library settings include:
Silverfish, Book lice, and Termites are looking for a food source. Cockroaches and rodents are looking for water. Termites and rodents are looking for a protective space to house. Bedbugs are looking for people. Most of these can be remediated by limiting food and water in collection areas.
Reduce humidity to below 60% if possible and limit food and drink. Plants also add humidity to an environment so keep plants away from collection items and collection spaces.
Facilities staff should regularly inspect buildings for holes and leaks and monitor in-coming acquisitions for evidence of pest infestations. Ensure windows, doors, openings around pipes, cracks, etc. are sealed and that condensation on pipes does not occur. EH&S can supply the library with sticky traps/rodent traps as needed. Contact preservation as they will need to regularly monitor the traps and identify the pests.
Make sure break rooms are thoroughly cleaned, and that food waste is thrown outside in a dumpster after a library event involving food.
Do not put any collection items on the floor. Even a box of collection items should be stored on a cart, shelf, or table at all times.
Refrain from ever bringing any pets to work, even for a short time/visit. Patrons may only have pets with them if they are certified special service animals and/or assistant animals. Therapy animals coming into circulation libraries during finals weeks are fine if they do not go into stacks areas. Please encourage all employees to wash their hands after handling animals and before they handle collection items.
In the event of pests entering the library, contact EH&S immediately as well as preservation and library facilities. EH&S should be regularly spraying outside library branches--rarely inside. If the pest infestation is large enough inside, repellents and pesticides can be selectively chosen, and EH&S need to consult with preservation and facilities before they do so. Sprayed chemicals on the floor should be chosen over fumigants that fill the room with gas. Sprayed chemicals should only touch the floors--not sprayed on shelving or furniture.
Identify the extent of the pest outbreak and isolate affected materials (place in plastic bags and seal if possible) and contact conservation immediately. Conservation can freeze collection items in a way that will kill the pests and their eggs. Insect waste may still be an issue on the surface of the materials. Discuss with conservation options regarding keeping or replacing the item(s) as needed. If the pest infestation is widespread, the closure of an area may be necessary (this is especially important with bed bugs).
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