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* This exhibit is no longer on display *
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The simple fact of the matter is that INSECTS AND MICE are attracted to libraries as a food source. It is the food and drink residue left behind by library patrons which attracts them to the library in the first place. Once in the library they will begin to feast upon books and journals devouring anything from the paper, to the fabric book spine, to the glue, which holds the book together. Not only do they destroy library materials by literally chewing up books and journals, but also their feces can cause serious health problems for library users. WHAT CAN YOU DO? You can help prevent the damage caused to library materials by insects and mice - please place a lid onto coffee cups and other drinks to avoid spillage and always throw away your garbage. |
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COCKROACHES are "among the most primitive living, winged insects (almost unchanged for more than 320 million years) and are among the oldest fossil insects. The insect damages more material than it consumes and emits a disagreeable odor. The diet of the roach, which includes both plant and animal products, ranges from food, paper, clothing, and books to dead insects, especially bedbugs. Insecticides are used in roach control". "cockroach" Encyclopædia Britannica Online. search.eb.com/bol/topic?eu=24988=1 [Accessed September 8 2000]. |
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The MOUSE is characterized as "small, scampering rodents, particularly the house mouse family Muridae (order Rodentia). Many species seem to prefer dwelling in man-made structures and can become serious pests by destroying food, gnawing all types of materials, and, possibly, harbouring such disease-producing organisms as murine typhus and plague. A brown or gray rodent, it grows up to 20 centimetres (8 inches) long, including a 10-cm tail. It consumes almost anything edible, even sampling soap, paste, and glue". "mouse" Encyclopædia Britannica Online. search.eb.com/bol/topic?eu=55413=1 [Accessed September 8 2000]. | |
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"The SILVERFISH
(Lepisma saccharina), a slender, flat, wingless insect with three
tail bristles, is so called because it is covered with silvery
scales and moves quickly. It normally lives indoors and is
worldwide in distribution. Because it eats materials containing
high percentages of starch (e.g., paste, bookbindings, and
wallpaper) it can cause damage to books and
fabrics.". "bristletail" Encyclopædia Britannica Online.
search.eb.com/bol/topic?eu=16729=1
[Accessed September 8 2000]. |
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BOOKLICE (Order Psocoptera) are "Small or
minute insects with long filiform antennae, delicate embranous
wings (though many are wingless), head with Y-shaped epicranial
suture, enlarged post-clypeus (sclerite on the face); maxilla with
a rodlike lacinia (inner lobe) partly sunk into head capsule;
labial palps much reduced; cerci absent.. This particular order of
insect "feed on organic matter; especially: an insect (as
Liposcelis divinatorius) injurious especially to
books". "insect" Encyclopædia Britannica
Online. |
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For More Information: about exhibits
at the John Crerar Library, please contact Barbara Kern
at 773-702-8717 or bkern@midway.uchicago.edu.