LBCC temporarily closed the library due to bed bugs 

A bed bug infestation caused the LAC library to be closed from Aug. 27 to Sept.1 and the school did not make an official statement to students.

“It can be confirmed to be bedbugs,” Lawrence Maminta, a librarian who was present during the initial sighting, said.

Associate Vice President of Facilities Jeff Connell confirmed there were two separate incidents within the first week of the semester, which started on Aug. 25.

The library closed around 5 p.m. on Aug. 27, but students were initially ushered out due to an alleged technical issue in the library.

“The staff just told me it was due to the library computer system not working. I thought it was an overreaction at first,” Fidelle Martinez, a student who was in the library on Wednesday, said. 

No reports of the library’s computer system were confirmed by other staff and Connell noted that this statement was out of the Facilities Management’s control.

“As far as I know, there were no technical issues, but there were bed bugs found around the computers, so they cleared it and made room for them (Dewey Pest Control) to do treatment,” Connell said.

All contaminated areas were treated immediately and the objects that had evidence of infestation were thrown out and went through multiple custodial deep cleanings for all incidents. 

The incidents were considered isolated and facilities contracted Dewey Pest Control to treat the issue as soon as the school found out. 

After the first incident, Connell realized that the library did need to be closed for a deeper extermination procedure.

An official synopsis provided by Connell, from a contractor who works for LBCC, confirmed that there were at least three incidents of bed bugs in the library, as early as June 27.

It is unknown if any student or faculty member’s health were impacted by the incidents.