Bed bugs found in Hamden library

HAMDEN, Conn. (WTNH) -- No books are being checked out of Hamden's main library either Friday or Saturday.

There were signs posted on the doors of the library saying it was closed due to staffing issues.

And while that might be the case, Hamden Mayor Scott Jackson tells News 8 about another reason the doors are now shut.

"In a used book that was delivered to the library we found evidence of bed bugs," Jackson said, "so we took immediate steps to quarantine the area, start to bring in professionals to do an evaluation and extermination of any insects that we found."

The Mayor says the library will be closed Friday and Saturday at the very least.

As for how long that potentially bed bug infested book was at the library, that's a much harder question to answer.

"We don't know how long the situation was there, but we know it's our obligation to be proactive at this point," Jackson said.

Jackson says the library won't be re-opened until he has a high degree of confidence that visitors will be safe.

All this will ultimately lead to policy changes, like those adopted by the Russell library in Middletown which dealt with bed bug problems earlier this year.

"We're kind of following the lead established by that library," Jackson said, "which includes returning borrowed books in a zip lock bag to make sure if there's anything it's protected."

He also calls the situation at Miller Memorial part of an explosion of bed bug cases at hotels, schools and libraries nationwide.

"Bed bugs can hide in the crevasses of your sneakers," Jackson said, "they're hitchhikers I heard someone call them."

Hamden will let residents know when the library will be back open on both its town and library websites.