Detroit Closes Main Branch
in Bacteria Scare
The Detroit Public Library closed its main branch August 30 after illness-causing bacteria were found on books damaged by flooding in late July. The library was to remain closed at least until September 5, the Detroit Free Press reported August 31.
Tests on the 3,000 damaged books and documents from the prized Burton Historical Collection were conducted in New York by Documents Reprocessors, which is cleaning and repairing them. The tests revealed fecal-coliform bacteria on 15 of 18 randomly selected books.
Testing in the library itself began August 28, and Director Maurice Wheeler said he decided to close the building before the results were available as a precaution. Fecal-coliform bacteria, found in human and animal waste, can cause stomachaches and flu-like symptoms, but no illness has been reported, Wheeler said.
On July 29, following heavy rains in the area, less than an inch of water was discovered in the library’s first-level basement; the damage occurred when that water trickled down to the lower level. Library officials are unsure how the water became contaminated.
Posted September 4, 2000.
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