The Marriott Library reopened its doors to the public Tuesday after a bedbug infestation.
The insects were originally found in a lounge chair, shutting down the third floor. Upon further inspection, bedbugs were found on the first and second floors as well.
While the library was shut down over the weekend, all upholstered chairs were removed and common areas were evaluated. The first floor was treated first in order to accommodate Monday classes.
Valerie Dowell, U interim director of communication, said a private pest control firm “treated the chairs by putting them in a chamber that heated up to 140 degrees to eliminate the pests and any eggs [the bedbugs] may have laid.”
The shutdown was a minor inconveniences for some students.
“I forgot my laptop Monday, so I could not use the library’s computer lab,” said Quynh Quach, a junior in health promotion and education.“But I’m happy they took the necessary actions.”
Jonathan Anderson, a junior in communication, uses reserved books to get his homework done.
“[The] library closed down, so I couldn’t do my reading,” Anderson said.
Dowell said the library staff handled the situation effectively.
“Library staff was very proactive and managed a tricky situation very well with a minimum of destruction and maximum effectiveness,” said Dowell, “It’s back to business as usual.”
Dowell said that her office was unaware of any reported bedbug sightings elsewhere on campus.