Final observations on costs and benefits

This study places strong emphasis on the need for library personnel to inspect, maintain, and implement measures designed to prevent pest infestation at the facility. In-house staff are intimately familiar with the organization of -the library, the layout of the facility, management of the collections, and the desire to implement common sense approaches to prevention rather than chemical control of outbreaks. With a minimum investment in training and direction, the in-house staff can put together an IPM program that meets the needs of the institution for minimal cost.

Library personnel will rely on the professional pest control industry to implement specific aspects of the program as well as to provide input into some of the technical aspects of pest prevention and control. The ultimate decision-making processes, implementation, control, and oversight of the program should be in the hands of the Pest Control Committee and library management.