Mike Spiegel, a stacks assistant, vacuums books in O’Neill Library.

Dust up

Margie Fiels, head of access services, O’Neill Library:

“The library assigns a student to vacuum books for a few hours every week, but while the students are away one person vacuums every day full time. We use hand-held vacuums that have high efficiency particulate filtration systems that prevent the recirculation of dust back into the air. The dust and dirt that accumulates on books and shelves can encourage mold growth and insects. Over time, dust can abrade the interior of books, causing damage.”