The exhibit, like book deterioration, is easy to overlook. He works in the library office. Those who stop, however, can view the mutilated, defaced and devoured books that Biddle has been collecting for 10 years. A bookworm laced holes in one book on display from India. Laughing, Biddle explained that there are even different types of bookworms.
Indian bookworms are white and hairless.
New England bookworms, also known as carpet beetle larva, resemble little hedgehogs and are not as voracious as their Indian counterparts, according to Biddle. Silverfish, mice and dogs all nibble on paper but most of the books on display were damaged by humans. Other readers intentionally mar books. It makes it very difficult for other readers to form their own opinions about the works. With direct labels and graphic examples, Biddle catches the attention of even unintentional viewers such as Ari Yampolsky '00, who stumbled upon the exhibit while searching for an internship posting.