NORTH SALEM, N.Y. - So, what’s the latest buzz about the Ruth Keeler Memorial Library in North Salem?
It was forced to close – albeit temporarily – on Wednesday, Aug. 13, due to some unwanted visitors, namely: yellowjackets, which look like bees but are really wasps, and white-faced (bald-faced) hornets, which are known for their aggressive behavior especially when defending their nests.
The pesky critters had taken up residence right near the library’s front and side doors.
Unlike bees, they can sting multiple times.
Bee-cause this was creating a dangerous situation, the library called in the cavalry, aka an exterminator, who sprayed them, hopefully to kingdom come.
“We really have to protect both for our patrons and our staff,” explained Library Director Cathleen Sulli, who was safely ensconced inside the building doing last-minute things such as turning off the lights.
The closure was announced on social media.
Sulli herself was planning to beat a retreat before the late afternoon when, she was told, the cranky insects were likely to be returning home after a hard day of foraging for food.
The exterminator is scheduled to come back to check things out on Thursday, Aug. 14.
If the library gets the all-clear, it will re-open asap, she said.
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