Library and Museum Preservation Services

Protecting Cultural Heritage with Schtager

Schtager Library and Museum Preservation is dedicated to preserving our cultural heritage through specialized cleaning and pest management services. We understand the unique challenges that libraries and museums face—such as delicate materials, aging artifacts, and the ever-present risk of pest or environmental damage.

Our Comprehensive Approach

• Thorough Inspection: Identifying potential risks and vulnerabilities throughout your facility.
• Delicate Cleaning: Gentle removal of dust and dirt from fragile surfaces without causing damage.
• Pest Control: Targeted measures to protect collections from insects, rodents, and other pests.
• Environmental Monitoring: Managing temperature, humidity, and light levels to ensure proper storage conditions.
• Disaster Planning: Developing custom response strategies for emergencies such as fire or flood.
• Sanitation: Keeping collections clean to reduce pest attraction and breeding grounds.
• Integrated Pest Management (IPM): Employing preventative and non-invasive pest control techniques.
• Professional Consultation: Customized pest control plans tailored for historical collections and building architecture.

The Twelve Dirty Dozen: Common Pests in Libraries & Museums

• Silverfish: Feed on paper, glue, and starch.
• Booklice: Thrive in damp areas and feed on mold and mildew.
• Cockroaches: Contaminate collections with droppings and saliva.
• Rodents: Chew on documents, books, and valuable artifacts.
• Carpet Beetles: Destroy textiles such as carpets and book covers.
• Drugstore Beetles: Infest paper, leather, and textiles.
• Cigarette Beetles: Cause damage to books and paper materials.
• Dust Mites: Can trigger allergies and degrade air quality.
• Mold & Mildew: Thrive in humid environments and damage organic materials.
• Insects: Moths and beetles often infest organic collections.
• Birds: Cause damage through droppings and nesting materials.

Preventing Infestations with PIPM

Our Preventative Integrated Pest Management (PIPM) program is a proactive system built to prevent pest entry and reduce long-term risks to your collection. This process includes:

• PREVENTION: Blocking pest access to buildings and collections.
• MONITORING: Tracking pest activity to catch issues early.
• IDENTIFICATION: Recognizing specific threats and their patterns.
• TREATMENT: Applying the safest, least-invasive treatment options available.

We also assess:

• The surrounding ecosystem and environment.
• Building vulnerabilities and pest entry points.
• The value and vulnerability of your specific collections.

Pest Monitoring and Trapping

Routine pest monitoring is essential for long-term protection. We use strategic trap placement and pheromone-based attractants to detect and monitor pests effectively.

• Trap Placement: Traps are placed on floors, shelves, and hidden areas vulnerable to pests.
• Monitoring Frequency: Inspections should occur 2–4 times per year for optimal results.
• Trap Identification: Each trap has a unique ID and is marked on a building map for consistent tracking.
• Pheromone traps are a powerful tool. These natural insect attractants draw pests from surrounding areas, offering an early warning system before full infestations occur. While the traps themselves are non-toxic and do not eliminate pests, they provide critical data to guide future actions.

Protect Your Collections with Schtager

Through proper cleaning, monitoring, and pest control strategies, Schtager Library and Museum Preservation helps institutions preserve history and protect priceless collections. Our expert team ensures a safe environment for both staff and artifacts, now and for generations to come.

Contact us today to learn how our preservation services can safeguard your institution’s legacy.