Due to high temperatures and high humidity levels in the building, starting in early September 1997 the staff noticed an outbreak of a commonly found mold called Aspergillus in the Undergraduate Library book collection. The staff quickly instituted cleaning procedures from a 1995 outbreak. Unfortunately, the building conditions could not be controlled enough to inhibit mold growth and the hot and humid weather conditions persisted. Additionally, there was an infestation of book lice, for which the mold serves as an initial host. The Library Preservation Department and the campus Environmental Health and Safety staff reviewed the UGL book condition.
It was determined that the books needed to be frozen to kill the lice and then cleaned to remove the mold. Starting in October 1997, the UGL collection was quarantined. Books stopped circulating and staff rearranged the study carrels to block off the stacks. Between October and December, book jackets will be removed, books will be boxed, placed on palettes, and transported to a local freezing facility. The freezing process takes four to five days. Upon removal from the freezer, the books will be brought to the Geisel Library building for cleaning. Once cleaned, they will be housed in the Geisel Library building until UGL opens post renovation in January 2000. By Winter Quarter 1998, all UGL books and periodicals will be located in the Geisel Library building.
UGL displays in ROGER and MELVYL will indicate that UGL items are unavailable until January 1998.
Renewals: Effective immediately, UGL titles are not subject to renewal.
Recalls: Effective immediately, UGL titles are not subject to recall, except by UGL staff.
Holds: Effective immediate, a patron may request to have a hold placed on a UGL title for continued use after treatment of the item is completed.
AN ALTERNATIVE TO ACQUIRING AN UNAVAILABLE UGL TITLE
Interlibrary loan policy is to accept requests for research related items not owned by the UCSD Libraries. Items own but temporarily unavailable due to being checked-out are generally not eligible for requesting from Interlibrary loan. Since UGL materials are temporarily unavailable the Interlibrary Loan units will honor ILL requests for material designated as unavailable from the UGL collection that is not owned elsewhere on campus.
If the requested item is class related, ILL will consider (on a case by case basis) obtaining the item through ILL. If the item is a text or required reading for a class, ILL will recommend the patron request that the instructor place a copy of the item on class reserves. The usual restrictions on items for recreational reading still apply.
Items owned by another library on campus, but checked out, should be recalled before going to interlibrary loan.
The ILL units will monitor requests for materials owned at other UCSD libraries, but checked out, and make decisions on whether to borrow rather than recall, on a case by case basis.
If you have any questions, please contact your library's Interlibrary Loan unit.
FAQ: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
| Do book lice like people? | No, book lice will not use people as a host. |
| What happens if I'm around the mold? | If you are sensitive to allergies you may have a allergic type reaction to mold. Each individual needs to assess his/her level of susceptibility and act accordingly. |
| Are Reserves and the Playback Center moving to the Geisel Library building too? | No, Reserves and the Playback Center will remain in Galbraith Hall until June 1998. |
| What about the library's hours? | UGL will be open its usual hours until June 1998. There are no changes in hours. |
| What about studying in UGL? | Yes, that is a great idea. Even though there won't be a book or periodical collection, there will be study carrels. |
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