EGAD! Bed Bugs in the Library?

Dr. Jody Green, Nebraska Extension Julie Beno, Lincoln City Libraries

Katie Murtha, Lincoln City LibrariesJanuary 31, 2017

Hurrah for Nebraska! The land of the free,The land of the bed bug, grasshopper, and flea.

~ lyric from Staving to Death on My Government Claim

Today’s agenda

Short videoThe lifespan and history of the Bed Bug

Challenges for LibrariesPolicies and proceduresStaff trainingPictures

Bed bugs and Libraries!

Jody Green

Everything you need to know about

Bed Bugs

Are you ITCHING yet?

2012: Customer asked if a person could get bedbugs from books

2014: First introduction not infestation

We took the first book to the Extension office for bug identification.

Bed Bug Committee at Bennett Martin Public Library formed

Challenges for Libraries

Policy considerations

Providing training and determining best practices for staff

Treating materials

Determining workflow procedures and notifying customers

Providing information for the public

Policy Considerations

Dealing with customers and bed bug damaged items:

◦Discard or treat the materials?

◦How to contact customer?

◦Ban from using the library?

◦Ban personal belongings?

◦Require proof of treatment for reinstatement?

Staff Training

All staff should be trained:To identify bed bugs and bed bug damageTo know & follow workflow proceduresTo know what to say to the publicTo prevent transporting bed bugs home from the

workplaceTo protect themselves if bed bugs are found in

the workplace:◦Tumble dry clothes on high heat (125° F or above) for

30 minutes or more. Contact County Extension for directions.

◦Clothes that require dry cleaning should be kept in a plastic sealable bag until dry cleaning.

Workflow Considerations

Inspect materials and identify bed bugs or damage at check in

Determine if obviously damaged or suspected as damaged

Quarantine and treat materialsCharge customer and place holds for

outstanding items on customer’s accountContact customerPost treatment inspection – discard or

return to collection?

Treating Materials & Equipment Purchases

Equipment needed for treatment:

◦Heat treatment Oven: 7 hours at 113° F◦Freeze treatment

Freezer: 4 days at 0°F◦Lots of Ziploc bags

& latex gloves!!◦Clorox wipes

Dogs? In the Library?

Spots, the bed bug sniffing dog-quarterly◦Bag identified materials immediately- we put in

freezer◦Move furniture out of building-bag or wrap if

possible

Providing Information to Customers

Draft and publish FAQs:

◦How is the library addressing the threat of bed bugs?

◦What if I return library materials that are found to contain bed bugs or evidence of bed bugs?

◦Where can I find more information on bed bugs?

Examples

Bed Bug?

Julie searching! Thank you County Extension Office

Bed Bug Feces and Blood

Not Visible with Naked Eye

Final Thoughts & Questions?

We hire a bed bug sniffing dog quarterly We go to other branches and train staff We attend training sessions on bed bugs Stay calm and everything will be OK!

Presenters

Dr. Jody Green◦ Nebraska Extension Educator | Urban Entomologist◦ jgreen17@unl.edu◦ 402-441-7180

Julie Beno◦ Library Coordinator, Lincoln City Libraries◦ J.beno@lincolnlibraries.org◦ 402-441-8535

Katie Murtha◦ Librarian, Lincoln City Libraries◦ K.murtha@lincolnlibraries.org◦ 402-441-8592

Lincoln City Libraries, Lincoln, NElincolnlibraries.org