Dedicated conservationists and librarians at Hungary’s oldest library are racing against time to protect their vast, irreplaceable collection of over 100,000 books from a rapidly spreading beetle infestation. The tiny pests, which bore into pages and bindings, threaten to irreversibly damage centuries-old manuscripts, historical volumes, and rare first editions held within the library’s ancient walls. To combat the outbreak, experts have implemented a range of measures including controlled climate environments, chemical treatments, and frequent inspections to halt the beetles’ advance.

The preservation effort highlights both the scale of the threat and the intricate strategies employed to safeguard cultural heritage. Key steps taken by the library team include:

  • Vacuum sealing vulnerable collections for containment
  • Regular fumigation cycles using…