Bed bug extermination continues at Shawnee library, reopening delayed

The Johnson County library system now says its Shawnee branch will remain closed at least until Monday to make sure bed bugs in the facility are eradicated.

The library at 13811 Johnson Drive closed last Friday, Sept. 28, after staff discovered bed bugs in a book and then realized the infestation had spread to the furniture. At the time, library officials said they hoped the facility could reopen on Wednesday.

But on Tuesday, the library system said the re-opening of the branch is postponed due to “delayed delivery of specialty equipment for the eradication process.”

The all-clear is expected to be given at the beginning of next week. Cleaning measures are underway, including fumigation; sealing, baking and/or removing of infested materials; and deep-cleaning of the shelves and the building.

Updates are available on the library system’s website, Facebook and Twitter platforms.

The library system is also inspecting all other branches and vehicles, doing refresher training for all staff, and alerting other patrons, including the Olathe Public Library. Library spokesman Christopher Leitch said inspections so far have turned up no evidence of bed bugs in any other facility.

Patrons of the Shawnee Library are urged to place any checked-out materials from that library in a sealable plastic bag and return it to any Johnson County library location.

Holds can be picked up at the Shawnee Library after it has reopened, or patrons can call 913-826-4600 to change the hold pickup to a different location. Items picked up at the Shawnee Library will have received the baking treatment to remove any pests. Anyone who changes the hold to a different location will get materials from another branch, not from the Shawnee Library.

During the closure, patrons will not incur fines on materials checked out from Shawnee.