Bats guard the books in this 18th century library
Bats have long lived in
In This Beautiful Library, Bats Guard the Books - Atlas Obscura
https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/library-bats-coimbra-wild-life-excerpt
Bats Act As Pest Control at Two Old Portuguese Libraries | Smithsonian
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/bats-act-as-pest-control-at-two-old-portuguese-libraries-9950711/
The Joanina Library was built between 1717 and 1728 and is located on the campus of the University of Coimbra, which was registered as a World Heritage Site in 2013. Along with many books, small bats, about 2 cm in length, the free-tailed bat and the soprano pipistrelle live behind the bookshelves.
Bats are believed to have taken up residence in the library in the late 18th century, when large leather sheets were purchased from Russia to protect the desks and tables in the hall from the rain.
For centuries, library bats have roosted in the daytime and eaten insects that damage paper and glue at night.
Although they can't stop bats from urinating next to the portrait of King João V, the library staff treats them well as 'honorary librarians' - so much so that when the library doors were replaced in 2015, gaps were left for bats to enter and exit, as they needed to drink from the river.
The Joanina Library regularly offers guided tours to see the nocturnal bats.
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in Creature, Posted by logc_nt