Preserve Collections with Proper Care of Plants in the Library

Plants can be a source of food and water for pests, and a host for molds and allergens. Dying plants can support colonies of fruit flies. The moisture required for live plants may interfere with the HVAC system doing its job. A few simple steps can help keep plants from becoming a threat to the health of people and collections.

DO:

... take care of your plants. ... get rid of plants you can't take care of. ... remove dying leaves and take plant waste out for disposal. ... avoid over watering or letting water stand in the dish. ... substitute artificial for live plants or flowers.

DO NOT:

... leave dead plants, dead cut flowers, or pots of dirt in the library. ... let water stand or overflow. ... spill dirt on collections.

For further information, see Integrated Pest Management by Beth Lindblom Patkus, in Northeast Document Conservation Center, Technical Leaflet, Emergency Management, Section 3, Leaflet 10.

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