Policy

We recognize our obligation to provide library materials that are in good condition and free of pests. Infested library materials should not be returned to circulation until they're pest free in order to prevent the further spread of bugs.

Rationale

Occasionally, insects or spiders may be found among returned materials. In most cases, this is not a problem. Materials containing bugs or otherwise showing evidence of a bug infestation, however, will need to be immediately quarantined and treated. Bedbugs, cockroaches and silverfish are of particular concern. We do not want these infested items placed back on our shelves or back in circulation.

Application

Infested library materials will be immediately secured in plastic bags and sent to be disinfected.

Procedure

Returned items should be visually examined to see if they contain bugs. When unloading book return bins, staff should wear protective gloves.  If items with bugs are found:

1. Immediately place the items in a triple layer of plastic bags.
2. Securely tie the bags with rubber bands and tie a piece of yellow CAUTION tape around the rubber bands.
3. Check in the bagged items. Based on tests performed in Stacks, there is no difference in restrictions on the number of bagged items that can reliably checked in at one time than the number of unbagged items:
   • 4 CDs or single discs
   • 3 multi-disc sets
   • 6-8 inches of books or printed materials
4. Check the items out to the Infested user.
   • Enter "Infested" as the User ID. Infested is also the name on this user.
   • Checking items out to this user will move any holds back into the hold queue.
5. If the infested item is an Interlibrary Loan, please contact the ILL office so they can notify the owning library.
6. Put the bagged items in delivery crates to be taken to the Isom Operations Center. Put the crates with bags in them on the top of the stack of crates to be picked up by the delivery drivers.
7. The items will be disinfected and then put back in circulation.
8. If a patron calls to report that they might have items containing bugs, ask them to place them in a triple layer of securely tied plastic bags before returning them to a service desk (not in the book drop). Staff should accept the bagged items and follow steps 2-7 above.