Bed Bugs Shut Down Berkeley Library

Bed bugs have infested another Bay Area public library–this time, the North Branch Berkeley Public Library.

According to Bay Area news station KRON4, the parasites–often passed through bedsheets, clothing, and upholstery–were found in a men’s room; under computer desks and chairs; and in a reading area in the library.

The library’s closure was announced Friday, and library events were canceled until further notice.

Local resident Bibi Tucker told KRON: “We get a lot of students from Cal [University of California Berkeley] that have bed bugs in their dorms.” Bed bugs are an increasing problem in many American cities, following bans on several insecticides thought to cause environmental damage.

Last week, the Mitchell Park Library in Palo Alto was also closed due to an infestation of bed bugs.