SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — A few days ago the South Orange Public Library announced it would be closed through the end of June due to an insect infestation. On July 1, however, the South Orange Village website provided an update; now the library will remain closed until Tuesday, July 5.
According to the release, the action plan is under way as the village and the library work together to address the discovery of bedbugs in several of the large upholstered chairs at the library. An experienced and licensed professional has been engaged to provide thorough treatment on the main floor — level with Scotland Road — of the library. Oversight will be provided by the village health officer. The upholstered chairs will be disposed of in a safe manner. No sign of bugs was discovered on the lower level of the building — which includes both the Children’s Room and the meeting room — so treatment in that section of the building is not necessary, according to the village.
Treatment of the entire main floor will be conducted Saturday, July 2, with follow-up visits scheduled on Saturdays in July and August. The library board and director are reviewing further preventative measures and are developing an ongoing plan. Library staff will receive training in recognizing the signs of contaminated books and will have procedures for isolation before treatment. New furniture purchases will made with an eye to both comfort and cleanability. With frank conversation, rapid reaction and a commitment to active preventative measures, the village and the library wish to maintain vigilance and ensure that the library continues to improve upon its long history as an innovative, welcoming community space offering many resources and personalized service, the release read.
During the closure, the lower level of the building has served as a work area for library staff who are providing reference, library materials, a chance for conversation and other library services at a library kiosk at the back of the building. Today, July 1, the kiosk will be in action from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Adults, as well as children and teens, are invited to participate in summer reading. There are prizes for children, thanks to the Friends of South Orange Public Library, and prize drawings for all, with prizes supplied by local businesses.
The library will resume regular summer hours on July 5 at 10 a.m.; hours include all Sundays through August, from 1 to 5 p.m. No fines will accrue on any library materials that have been checked out until regular hours resume.
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