Rochester Public Library
News Release
Rochester, NY, February 3, 2017 -- The Sully Branch of the Rochester Public Library will be closed through Monday, February 6, for pest control remediation. Bed bugs were seen in the Branch. To minimize contact with the public, the library closed early Friday and will open Tuesday so that a pest control company can spray the building.
Library customers who are concerned about materials borrowed from the Sully Branch library may seal all library materials in a zip-top plastic bag and return them to the library. They should indicate if any evidence of bed bugs was discovered on the materials.
No evidence of bed bugs has been found in the Thomas P. Ryan R-Center, which is in the same building as the Branch. As a precaution, the Ryan Center will be closed on Saturday so the pest-control company can investigate for signs of bed bugs.
In recent years, incidents of bed bug infestations have become a growing problem for all public buildings including hotels, schools, hospitals and libraries. Because bed bugs can hide in items like jackets, backpacks and other soft materials, they can be brought into any location.
A library is not a conducive environment for bed bugs to thrive. They require a human or animal host to survive and spread.
The Rochester Public Library has established pest-control policies in its building-maintenance program, which include regular inspections for bed bugs and treatments recommended by a qualified pest control company. Library staff are trained to recognize and report bed bugs and take immediate action to prevent their spread and eliminate them.
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Media Contact: Sally Snow, Assistant Director, MCLS: 428-8051