Sniffer dogs picked up the scent in localized areas at eight of the 24 branches, although results released by the library suggest no actual bugs were visible. However, eggs were found on a book in the book bin at the Locke Street branch.

Live bedbugs, eggs and newly dead bedbugs give off a scent.

The remaining 16 branches have yet to be checked.

The library says all of the affected branches were promptly treated. This is done after hours with steam, heat chambers and spray, among other measures. The checks follow a schedule formed after a March 25 inspection of the Central branch and the library’s two bookmobiles.

The library is now posting its inspection results online, a move that came on the heels of officials releasing documents about bedbugs at city library facilities to The Spectator under a Freedom of Information request.

The request followed a Spectator story published in May that revealed the sniffer dogs found evidence of bedbugs at Central in March. A report to the library board in April said the dogs found evidence of the parasitic, bloodsucking insects in many areas and on every floor.

However, officials said no actual bedbugs were found. Continued