The Meade County Public Library works diligently to prevent and contain pests, including insects and rodents, in the Library and in library items.
Prevention
Meade County Public Library is inspected and treated by a professional pest control company to prevent general pest problems on a regular basis. An inspection or treatment may be ordered at any time deemed necessary by the director.
Pests in Library Materials
In order to keep the Library free of pests or pests’ waste products, patrons who return items with obvious signs of bugs may have borrowing privileges suspended. The following procedures will be followed for all Library patrons:
First Occurrence
The 1st time a borrower returns materials that show any evidence of pests, staff will:
- Speak with the patron about what was found in their materials
- Show them the materials and evidence of pests, whenever possible
- Suggest ways the patron could address the issue (keeping materials in closed containers when not being used, inspect them before returning, talk with the management or landlord about exterminating the facility, or as an owner treat their own facility)
- Explain that no more than 3 items per week may be checked out on the patron’s account as well as each individual connected accounts at any given time until no signs of pest infestation are found in any returned materials for a period of three months or the patron provides to the director proof of treatment such as a bill from an exterminator or a notice of treatment by the landlord. After these conditions are met, the patron’s full borrowing privileges will be reinstated. Further sightings at any time will be considered a second occurrence, even if privileges have been reinstated.
- Explain that if pests or sign of pests are found in returned materials again, borrowing privileges for the patron’s account and all connected accounts will be suspended until the patron can demonstrate that their home has been treated professionally.
- Guide patrons to return remaining items in a sealed gallon size bag. Provide the patron with selaed gallon size bags to return items on their account.
- Complete an incident report and place it on file.
- Note the problem on the patron account as ‘pests found in returned materials’.
Second Occurrence
The 2nd time a borrower returns materials with signs of pest infestation, staff will:
- Speak with the patron about what was found. Show them the material and evidence of infestation, whenever possible.
- Suspend all borrowing privileges by banning the patron’s account as well as each individual connected accounts from checking out physical items.
- Offer patrons the option to switch their account to a digital-only card for accessing the digital collection.
- Explain that borrowing privileges for the physical collection have been suspended until affected items are paid for and the patron provides to the director proof of treatment such as a bill from the exterminator or a notice of treatment from a landlord.
- Further sightings at any time will be considered a third occurrence, even if privileges have been reinstated. A third occurrence will follow the second occurrence procedure.
- Patron will pay for materials which cannot be salvaged due to pest blood or fecal matter.
- Complete an incident report and place on file.
- Note the problem on the patron’s account.
Pests on a Library Patron
- If pests are crawling on a library patron, the staff member will discreetly inform the patron.
- If pests appear to be bed bugs or roaches, staff will speak to the patron in a confidential manner.
- Suggest ways the patron can address the issue, such as identification of pests by the Extension Office.
Adopted 3/15/2021, Revised 9/15/2025