[ILL-L] bedbugs in books

[Lowman, Lisa]

Wow! this is something; I would have never..................I wish you
all the best in resolving this matter; very costly for rare material and
clean-up measures.

Lisa

-----Original Message-----
From: ill-l-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:ill-l-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Jacobs, Tom
Sent: Wednesday, September 30, 2009 5:46 PM
To: Interlibrary Loan Listserv
Subject: [ILL-L] bedbugs in books

Denver Bibliophile's Bedbugs Take a Bite Out of ILL Loans

Denver Public Library has destroyed 31 books and fumigated four areas of
its central library after a bedbug infestation caused, ironically, by a
patron dedicated to preserving classic literature.

The contaminated books, which are rare works that were borrowed from DPL
through interlibrary loan, had been checked out by Roger Goffeney, a
retired poet and minister, who volunteers for the online collection
Project Gutenberg. Goffeney checked out the books to compare DPL's print
editions to the digital versions to ensure that the works had been
scanned accurately. "Not a one [of the loaned books] belonged to us,"
DPL spokeswoman Celeste Jackson told American Libraries.

However, in early September library staff discovered bugs, their larvae,
and droppings inside books returned by Goffeney. DPL banned him from the
library and asked him to bag his outstanding books and return them
outside the library building rather than through the book drop. However,
he placed them in the book drop a week later, causing a reinfestation,
ABC affiliate KMGH-TV reported September 24. "He flat-out refuses to
cooperate and has recontaminated the facility," DPL Manager of Security
and Safety Tom Scott said in the September 22 Denver Post. "At this
point, it's an intentional act," he asserted, noting that this was the
first bedbug infestation he has encountered at DPL in his 34-year tenure
there.

Goffeney declined to comment to American Libraries, other than saying he
expected the library would sue him for the cost of the books and
fumigation, and that he would hold off on making a statement until after
his anticipated court appearance. However, he told local media that the
bedbugs come from his downtown apartment in Cathedral Plaza, which is
owned by the Catholic Archdiocese of Denver. "We've always had some kind
of insect infestation, but it's never been to this degree," Goffeney
told KMGH.

DPL spokesperson Jackson told AL that the replacement cost for the books
is estimated at $12,000 and the cost of fumigation at $6,000. She also
said the library would likely seek remuneration from Goffeney through a
collection agency, per the terms of its borrowers' agreement. "I have no
intention of paying a dime," Goffeney told KMGH, adding that he's
considering filing a lawsuit to get his borrowing privileges restored.

-Gordon Flagg, American Libraries Online Posted on September 30, 2009.





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