The Library promotes responsible lifelong use of its materials and facilities with minimal barriers to promote fair and equitable sharing of these resources. This policy is designed to help ensure that shared collections and facilities remain free of invasive pests which may pose a threat to the health and safety of patrons, materials, and facilities.  Peotone Public Library District actively works toward the prevention and containment of insects and eggs in all materials and on library premises. Peotone Public Library District ensures its staff is trained in insect detection, containment, elimination and prevention, and regularly examines and updates its procedures according to best practices.

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Peotone Public Library District works proactively to:

 

• Reduce risk to staff and patrons

• Monitor detection, testing and response levels on an ongoing basis

• Contract only licensed, accredited, and reputable pest detection and control companies

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Prevention Protocol and Procedures

Peotone Public Library District recognizes all patrons and staff have a role to play in controlling insects in our community. All patrons and staff must immediately report any sighting of live or dead insects to library staff.

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Staff Protocol

Staff will routinely inspect all incoming materials, including those returned at the public desks, in the book drops and through inter-library loan delivery, for signs that insects are or have been present. These signs include live or dead insects, eggs, nymphs, and feces and spotting associated with insects.

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Materials returned to the Peotone Public Library District with detected presence of live or dead insects will be treated or discarded at the discretion of the Library. Discarded items will be considered as damaged items.

All items identified by Library staff as potentially containing live or dead insects in any stage will be promptly quarantined.

Any materials returned by a patron that show evidence of live or dead insects will result in immediate suspension of Peotone Public Library District privileges for that patron and for any patrons in the same residence as the original patron. Suspension will be lifted after the patron presents proof that his or her residence has been successfully treated for and eradicated of insects by a licensed and accredited pest control company.

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Patron Protocol

Library patrons must cease to borrow materials from the Peotone Public Library District if they are experiencing an insect infestation in their residence.

In the event that a patron discovers live or dead insects, insect eggs, insect nymphs, or feces or spotting associated with insects in Peotone Public Library District materials, the patron must immediately do the following:

If the materials are inside of the Library, bring the materials to a staff member and inform the staff member of the problem.

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If the materials are outside of the Library and in the possession of the patron, place the materials into a sealable plastic bag. Return the sealed materials directly to a staff member and inform the staff  member of the problem. Patrons must not use book drops to return materials suspected or with evidence of insects.

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Patrons are prohibited from self-treating Library materials that are suspected to contain insects.

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Patrons will be held responsible for any damages sustained to Library materials during an attempted self-treatment. Successfully eradicating bed bugs requires professional procedures and equipment contracted by the Library.

 

Public Donations Protocol

Donors must inspect materials for evidence of live or dead insects prior to donating them to the Peotone Public Library District.  Peotone Public Library District reserves the right to refuse or discard materials with signs of past or present insect or pest activity.

 

Adopted: March 19, 2019

Amended April 16, 2026