SECTION 6E

6E   VARMINTS, INSECTS, MOLDS, FUNGI

DISASTER PLAN

SECTION 4
Unit Plans
4.1 Admin.
4.2 Circulation
4.3 Documents
4.4 Media
4.5 Reference
4.6 Special Coll. 
4.7 Tech. Svcs.
4.8 CTL
4.9 WNCLN Net.

SECTION 5
Floor Plans

SECTION 6
Disaster Plan Types
6.a Water

6.b Fire

6.c Natural  Disaster

6.d Terrorism

6.e Mold, Fungi,
Varmints, etc

6.f  Electronic Disaster Plan

6.g Medical Emergency

SECTION 7
Recovery Resources & Suppliers

SECTION 8
Experts & Consultants

SECTION 9
Bibliography

SECTION 10
Internet Links

SECTION 11
Model Programs

SECTION 12
Appendix

In the Event of Varmints, Insects, Molds, Fungi

Most of us would prefer that varmints, insects, molds and delicate fungi  decorate the pages of  books and not eat, defecate, build nests, grow, or show rampant disregard and contempt for our materials. Libraries need to be constantly vigilant with regard to these pesky invaders. 

A library in the mid-west was overrun by a family of raccoons that lived in the ceiling of the library. After months of  raucous runs, obnoxious odors and growing insensitivity for other patron's rights, the vested varmints were captured and returned to the woods --- the distant woods. The library had a sizeable bill to replace urine saturated ceiling tiles and insulation and to racoon- proof the roof. 

A library in the south-east was plagued by a black slimy mold on the walls of the children's reading room. A mycologist was asked to give a report on the mold and ways to eradicate it. This time the mold won. The library had to move. The culprit was Stachybotrys chartarum a fungus  that produces mycotoxins. These toxins can cause animal and human mycotoxicosis, a sometimes life-threatening illness. This fungus has also been implicated in the so-called "sick buildings syndrome". Known to cause serious illness in children and adults, Stachybotrys chartarum is very difficult to contain. 

In the south-west a university library had difficulty convincing patrons to leave food outside the library and the stacks were soon overrun by cockroaches and silverfish which seemed to have a taste for the starch in cloth book covers and the glue in book bindings when the french-fries became few and far between. The exterminators were called and the Cambrian crustaceans were routed (and so were a few patrons!). After an uncomfortable period of time the library was able to return to normal service. To forestall future infestations, the library instituted a practice of giving a plastic cockroach to all patrons caught violating the food and drink policy --- a kind of vermin violator invective.  

RESPONSE GUIDELINES

1.  Isolate the infested materials

2.  Attempt to identify the type and the extent of the infestation

3.  Mold or mildew materials should be removed from collections OR  stabilized by proper humidity and temperature control.

4.  If you suspect the mold may be toxic, have it analyzed by a mycologist.

1.  Consult the bibliography in this plan for identifying infestations and for the guidelines for handling specific infestations.