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Boston Globe
6 hours ago
- Boston Globe
Hungary's oldest library is fighting to save 100,000 books from a beetle infestation
The drugstore beetle, also known as the bread beetle, is often found among dried foodstuffs like grains, flour and spices. But they also are attracted to the gelatin and starch-based adhesives found in books. They have been found in a section of the library housing around a quarter of the abbey's 400,000 volumes. Advertisement 'This is an advanced insect infestation which has been detected in several parts of the library, so the entire collection is classified as infected and must be treated all at the same time,' said Zsófia Edit Hajdu, the chief restorer on the project. 'We've never encountered such a degree of infection before.' Get Love Letters: The Newsletter A weekly dispatch with all the best relationship content and commentary – plus exclusive content for fans of Love Letters, Dinner With Cupid, weddings, therapy talk, and more. Enter Email Sign Up Abbey houses historical treasures The beetle invasion was first detected during a routine library cleaning. Employees noticed unusual layers of dust on the shelves and then saw that holes had been burrowed into some of the book spines. Upon opening the volumes, burrow holes could be seen in the paper where the beetles chewed through. The abbey at Pannonhalma was founded in 996, four years before the establishment of the Hungarian Kingdom. Sitting upon a tall hill in northwestern Hungary, the abbey houses the country's oldest collection of books, as well as many of its earliest and most important written records. Advertisement For over 1,000 years, the abbey has been among the most prominent religious and cultural sites in Hungary and all of Central Europe, surviving centuries of wars and foreign incursions such as the Ottoman invasion and occupation of Hungary in the 16th century. Ilona Ásványi, director of the Pannonhalma Archabbey library, said she is 'humbled' by the historical and cultural treasures the collection holds whenever she enters. 'It is dizzying to think that there was a library here a thousand years ago, and that we are the keepers of the first book catalogue in Hungary,' she said. Among the library's most outstanding works are 19 codices, including a complete Bible from the 13th century. It also houses several hundred manuscripts predating the invention of the printing press in the mid-15th century and tens of thousands of books from the 16th century. While the oldest and rarest prints and books are stored separately and have not been infected, Ásványi said any damage to the collection represents a blow to cultural, historical and religious heritage. 'When I see a book chewed up by a beetle or infected in any other way, I feel that no matter how many copies are published and how replaceable the book is, a piece of culture has been lost,' she said. Books will spend weeks in an oxygen-free environment To kill the beetles, the crates of books are being placed into tall, hermetically sealed plastic sacks from which all oxygen is removed. After six weeks in the pure nitrogen environment, the abbey hopes all the beetles will be destroyed. Advertisement Before being reshelved, each book will be individually inspected and vacuumed. Any book damaged by the pests will be set aside for later restoration work. Climate change may have contributed The abbey, which hopes to reopen the library at the beginning of next year, believes the effects of climate change played a role in spurring the beetle infestation as average temperatures rise rapidly in Hungary. Hajdu, the chief restorer, said higher temperatures have allowed the beetles to undergo several more development cycles annually than they could in cooler weather. 'Higher temperatures are favorable for the life of insects,' she said. 'So far we've mostly dealt with mold damage in both depositories and in open collections. But now I think more and more insect infestations will appear due to global warming.' The library's director said life in a Benedictine abbey is governed by a set of rules in use for nearly 15 centuries, a code that obliges them to do everything possible to save its vast collection. 'It says in the Rule of Saint Benedict that all the property of the monastery should be considered as of the same value as the sacred vessel of the altar,' Ásványi said. 'I feel the responsibility of what this preservation and conservation really means.'
Boston Globe
3 days ago
- Boston Globe
Wheelchair user gets no sympathy from caregiver
I don't think it's unreasonable to be infuriated that someone's litter caused me to spend $200 on replacement tires. My caregiver disagrees. He says that it's my fault for continuing and not turning around. He also said that I am overreacting, when the most I have done is complain a little bit for maybe an hour total and make a joking 'whoever threw the bottle on the sidewalk owes me $200' comment once. Advertisement Am I being too sensitive about this? I think being upset about having to spend $200 that I don't have to replace something necessary for my continued function in and outside of my apartment due to litter is understandable, but I would like to ask for your thoughts on the matter to be sure. Get Love Letters: The Newsletter A weekly dispatch with all the best relationship content and commentary – plus exclusive content for fans of Love Letters, Dinner With Cupid, weddings, therapy talk, and more. Enter Email Sign Up TIRE-D A. Let me get this straight: Your caregiver, who understands the challenges you face navigating a world that is often not accommodating, thinks that you don't have the right to be peeved about this? Litter, particularly broken glass, is a problem for everyone and any one of us could and should be upset about having to navigate a sidewalk strewn with jagged pieces, even if it didn't cost us $200 or a temporary restriction in mobility. Advertisement What happened wasn't fair and it had a greater impact on you than it would on someone who could just step to the side or crunch the glass under a boot. Your caregiver needs to acknowledge that some things in the world affect you differently. This is what empathy is. One doesn't need firsthand experience to be empathetic, but in this case he has to be able to see how hard this one battle has made your life. I hope that this is an isolated incident in your relationship and he's able to be supportive in other ways. Because care is about more than physical assistance. It's also about being willing to say, 'I see you. I hear you. What you're feeling is valid.' Q. I am the youngest of three sons, and both of my brothers passed away suddenly, with the latest one just three years ago. Now I find myself thrust into the role of executor for my parents, who are both about to turn 90. I have conducted significant research on what is needed to be in place both legally and financially and have consulted with friends who also have aging parents. However, my parents don't want to talk about these issues, and I am really in the dark on what they have in place. My father handled most of the issues, but now suffers from dementia, so there are a lot of unknowns. Recently, I sent them a list of items we should look into — power of attorney, living will, health care proxy, etc. My mother is overwhelmed with taking care of my father, so I have offered to speak directly with their lawyer and financial planner to lessen her burden, but while they initially seemed receptive, there has been little movement on these tasks. Advertisement I don't want to pressure them, but I am really anxious about this and want to deal with these important decisions while they are still in good health. TREADING LIGHTLY A. I'm sorry for the losses you've experienced and for the complication of this grief-laden moment. Planning for later life with parents is rarely easy, but you've taken excellent proactive steps. To help lessen the overwhelm you and your parents are feeling, tackle one small task at a time. I'd suggest you start with power of attorney. As you may already be aware, it can be a relatively simple process for which you can tackle most of the paperwork. With their blessing and their signatures, you'll then be allowed to talk to their lawyer and financial planner, and this will give you a clearer picture of what they've already put into place. Be clear with them about the concerns you have, the questions you need answered, and the guidance you're seeking. They can help you think through next steps for your parents and, hopefully, also take some things off of your plate. You don't have to take care of everything, and you don't have to do everything right now. It's not going to be perfect; nothing ever is. Don't listen to any internal voice that says if you miss a to-do item, you're failing your parents or creating a problem for yourself. R. Eric Thomas can be reached at .
Boston Globe
4 days ago
- Boston Globe
My boyfriend is the most annoying man in the world
Sometimes I feel like we speak the way siblings would, picking at each other (yes, I annoy him too) and teasing until one of us actually gets mad. I notice it as it happens, but don't know how to stop it. I feel like it makes me less of a loving partner. Don't get me wrong — we still have great, loving times together, but just as many annoying times. Advertisement Is this normal? Are there couples who never annoy each other? And how do you think we could stop this from happening? Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up – Annoyed Girlfriend A. It sounds like you need more time on your own. If you and your boyfriend are spending 24 hours a day together, you'll probably notice annoying things about each other. If quality time feels special — and not like filler activity — maybe you'll treat it that way. Also, it helps to think before you speak — with anyone. Can you take a beat before airing your grievance? Can you wait three seconds to ask yourself, Does that need to be shared? I'm trying to do this in my own life. Not everybody needs to know when I have to pee, when I'm too hot, and when I'm feeling socially anxious. I can think those things and make adjustments on my own. Advertisement Another thing to consider: Maybe you're annoyed with other parts of your life and it's easier to take it out on him. If you can't tell a best friend you're upset she's been unavailable, you might bring that energy into your romantic relationship. Stress at work? It's much easier to notice that your boyfriend makes a weird noise when he chews. Review what else is on your mind. Maybe if you identify the root of the problem, your feelings will go to the right place. Please know: I have seen many wonderful couples treat each other like annoying siblings. I have seen them whine at each other, make fun of each other, and go from teasing to tears in minutes. They tell me they want to stop. They have all said it takes intention and practice to be better. Really, if you love him, it's worth the effort. – Meredith READERS RESPOND Having a conversation about it would be a good first step. 'Hi, I have noticed that we have gotten into a habit of not talking nicely and I would like to try to change that.' LEGALLYLIZ2017 Sounds like it's time to practice a little mindfulness. Every emotion you feel doesn't need to negatively consume you, much less fuel the childish dynamic you've co-created with someone you purport to love. PENSEUSE Your relationship is one that should have ended almost three years ago. Sometimes we enter into relationships that are not worth maintaining. You are in such a relationship. BIGSIGH Listen to the new season of Love Letters wherever you get your podcasts. Advertisement
