Silverfish infestation to cost Deventer archives €620,000
A tiny silverfish, measuring just 10 to 15 millimeters, is prompting a 620,000 euros cleaning operation as Deventer prepares to relocate its centuries-old archives to a new facility on Hanzeweg. Officials say the insect feeds on paper and book glue, creating holes and surface damage that are often impossible to repair.
Alice van Diepen, director of Deventer libraries, said some current depots no longer meet modern storage standards, and leaving the archives in place could allow the silverfish to spread. “Now that we are preparing the move, the conclusion is that this is a good moment to thoroughly clean the entire collection, which currently resides in outdated depots. You do not want to risk the silverfish moving to Hanzeweg and creating problems there,” she told AD.
The cleaning will cover about five kilometers of books if laid end to end, though the oldest and most valuable works are secured in vaults and are not at risk. The archives and the Athenaeum Library are currently stored in two historic buildings on Het Klooster in the city center.
Alderman Ilse Duursma (CDA) told the municipal council that total moving costs, including the cleaning, are expected to reach between 1.2 million and 1.8 million euros. “All materials must be carefully packed and protected during the transfer. The current buildings have many corridors and stairways, and moving trucks cannot easily access this part of the old city. The relocation is sensitive and is conducted by specialist companies,” Duursma told the newspaper.
Van Diepen emphasized that the situation is under control. The affected archives will undergo offsite freeze-drying treatment. The Overijssels collection center will consolidate archives from Deventer, Zwolle, and other municipalities, as current facilities are too small, energy-intensive, and in need of major maintenance.
Dutch law requires municipalities to maintain archives that meet standards for security, climate, management, and accessibility.
