It is the responsibility of the Worcester County Library to maintain a healthy and clean environment for all library users and to protect the County’s investment in library collections, equipment and property.
When roaches, bed bugs, or other insects are brought into the library, this constitutes a hazard to the collection and to customers. Any materials that show evidence of insect presence or damage may result in a specific library customer or family/other household members having their library facilities and materials access suspended. The suspension and notification will be made at the discretion of the Director. The patron may still access from an offsite computer or offsite electronic device the library’s webpage and any databases/downloadable materials available through that site.
Examples of situations where access may be suspended include, but are not limited to:
- Evidence that items on loan to a customer may have been returned with insects that are known to be damaging to library materials, e.g. roaches, termites, silverfish, and some types of beetles
- Evidence that items on loan to a customer may have been returned with insects that can result in pest infestations in library facilities, e.g. bed bugs, ants, or roaches
- Evidence that items on loan to customers may have been returned with fungi that can be damaging to library materials, e.g. black mold
- Customers or customer possessions with visible fleas, lice, or bed bugs
- Customers with clothing or other possessions that contain urine or feces
Customers may request reinstatement of access only when providing documented evidence that the address in question has been inspected and treated by a licensed pest control company, or that the address in question has no signs of infestation.
Other acceptable documentation includes a written statement from the owner or property manager of a multi-family residence and in some cases, proof of a change of residential address may also be accepted. All decisions will be made at the discretion of the Director.
Approved by the Library Board of Trustees; December 11, 2018