With the harbingers of death decimated and the room ready for workers to return, the Oak Bay branch of the Greater Victoria Public Library reopened Friday (July 5).
Maggots and larvae were discovered in the room housing the 24-hour book return at the Greater Victoria Public Library branch on June 28, spokesperson Kelly Ridgway told the Oak Bay News.
Despite pest control and professional cleaning services, it was clear the problem persisted upon reopening on July 2. The library closed at 1 p.m. that day and remained closed through to Friday morning as the library worked with the district which owns the building.
“We extend our appreciation to the District of Oak Bay for their prompt assistance in resolving this matter and implementing precautionary measures. The issue has been fully addressed, and the library has undergone thorough sanitization,” Ridgway said.
The source of the mysterious appearance of maggots remains unclear.
“A pest control contractor was engaged to investigate and treat the issue, though no specific cause was identified. The 24-hour book return is now operational, and all library services and programs have resumed normal operations. No books or library materials were damaged by the infestation.”
During the most recent closure, a 24-hour temporary book return was placed in front of the Monterey centre and the GVPL extended hold pickup dates for all items at the Oak Bay branch.
Local library users grew accustomed to using an adjacent temporary book drop after the Oak Bay site closed abruptly for asbestos remediation in January 2023. During routine testing ahead of planned minor renovations to the library branch, one of two tests came back positive prompting an immediate closure. The library remained closed for a few months and the temporary drop box highlighted how popular the Oak Bay library is – requiring emptying four times a day.