CORDELE, Ga. (WALB) – The children’s side of the Cordele-Crisp Carnegie Library is closed after workers reported a strong odor tied to the lingering effects of a bat infestation.

Librarians say bats were a problem here for years. However, just two weeks ago, more bats were removed after a persistent smell was noticed in the same area, which was later determined to be connected to bats in the attic. The city says it hired a contractor to remove them, but librarians say the bats returned.

“The bats were never completely removed, so they were able to get right back in there. So, that caused this side to be completely shut down because it’s unsafe for the kids, and it’s unsafe for the workers as well,” says library clerk, Jeanne Kellom. “You can smell it out in the corridor. Now, it’s not as bad, but it’s a lingering smell. But that’s a process, and it’s going to take a while because that’s years and years and years of bat urine.”

The bats were finally removed last month, but since then, the smell inside the library has gotten worse. Employees say it’s bat excretion.

Some library visitors say they’ve dealt with health issues over the past year that they believe were caused by inhaling bat guano and other remnants.

“I often had frequent headaches, really bad congestion and a sinus infection,” says college student and clerk, Kitty Vaughn. “Some of the patrons have told staff that there were issues with the kids — that sometimes they would have allergies or they weren’t feeling that well.”

For a while, patrons thought the lingering scent was mold, but according to librarians, it was urine being heated by the summer sun and soaked by the rain.

“Bat urine has an ammonia smell — an unhealthy smell. And it’s really not good for you to breathe in, so imagine the kids having to deal with that, and they love their side [of the library],” Kellom says.

But now, there is a new safety hazard: Paint is falling from the ceiling, causing the children’s side to remain shut down.

The city of Cordele issued a public statement to WALB, saying:

As soon as the City of Cordele was made aware of bats at the library, the city immediately began the process to have them removed. A company that specializes in bat removal was hired to perform the work. All bats and guano have been removed from the building. The company removed old insulation and replaced with new insulation. The Children’s area at the library is still blocked off to address peeling paint on walls and ceiling tiles. This work is expected to begin tomorrow. The City of Cordele cares about the safety of residents and those who utilize the local library.

The smell is slowly dissipating now that the entry point for the bats has been sealed off.

The City of Cordele says it will be addressing the peeling paint on the walls and the ceiling and they expect that work to begin on Thursday.

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