Contact: Sarah Dentan
Acting Library Director
Berkeley Public Library
510-981-6195
North Branch of Berkeley Public Library Closed for Bedbug Eradication
Berkeley CA September 25, 2015--The North Branch of the Berkeley Public Library, located at Hopkin and 1170 The Alameda was closed Friday morning to allow for treatment of bedbugs. The Library will remain closed through Monday, September 28, to allow for sustained treatment using heat and steam and is expected to be open as usually at 10L00am Tuesday September 29, 2015. The Art of HOWL program that was scheduled for September 26 has been postponed.
The treatment was decided upon Friday morning, shortly after bedbug-sniffing dogs identified the possible presence of bedbug in three specific areas of the library: the downstairs men’s restroom, underneath the desks of the public computer area and chair in the adult reading area. There is no indication that library materials are involved
Out of an abundance of caution, bedbug-sniffing dogs will evaluate all library locations over the next week.
Bedbug are not considered a public health hazard, as they ae not know to spread disease.
The California Department of Public health has a number of helpful documents on their bedbug page, including a general factsheet. The U.S. EPA also has a number of documents on their bedbug page, including document about protecting your home, protecting yourself at school or office and tips for travel.
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