Greasy fingerprints, the lingering smell of stale french fries in the air, an increase in the number of cockroaches — these are all things the Parks Library may look forward to if McDonald’s enters the Hub.

Ivan Hanthorn, head of the Preservation Department in the library, said he anticipates many problems with the arrival of McDonald’s on campus. These problems include an increase in the odor and grease particles in the air, an increase in the amount and type of food entering the library and a potential increase in the insect population.

“Living in the Midwest, we have not had to worry about air pollution in the past. However, putting a McDonald’s that close to the library would create the problem,” Hanthorn said.

He said that because of the library’s air filtration system and the increase in the number of student patrons with greasy hands there would be more grease particles in the library, which could lead to increased degradation of library materials.

Because the library has been unsuccessful with keeping food out of the building in the past, Hanthorn said, he fears a McDonald’s next door will not only promote the amount of food entering, but also the type. In the past, he said, candy bar wrappers, potato chip bags and pop cans have been common. Now students may bring in greasy wrappers.

“I do think the problem will increase because of the nature of the product. I am anticipating an increase in debris and spills on study surfaces, which will attract more insects,” he said.

Hanthorn said cockroaches are already being found as far up as the fourth floor of the library, which means there is already too much food being left behind. He said that if McDonald’s existence in the Hub does result in more food being brought into the library, the number of insects may also increase. If the food supply runs short for the cockroaches, he said, they could begin to eat the glue in the binding of the books.

The preservation department was never contacted by the university about the McDonald’s addition. However, 52 library employees signed a collaborative letter about their observations and concerns and sent it to ISU President Martin Jischke, Vice President of Business and Finance Warren Madden and Memorial Union Managing Director Mary Jo Mertens.

“In general terms, you need to have a clean, controlled environment for the library so it will last longer,” Hanthorn said.

Nancy Eaton, dean of library services, said she has written to Madden expressing her concerns and the library staff’s wish to monitor the potential problems.

“We already have food migrating in. It’s a problem and we need to monitor it. We don’t want it to escalate and we want the help of the university administration to help see that that doesn’t happen,” Eaton said.

She said the real issue is the air filtration system and making sure that if a food establishment is put in the Hub, it has an adequate filtration system so no real problem occurs.

Eaton said her co-workers have had no response from the university yet, but they have very good working relations with Madden and his staff.

“I am sure they will do whatever they can to help us with these problems,” she said.

As of Wednesday afternoon, University Legal Service officials said no agreement had been finalized to build a McDonald’s in the Hub.

Madden could not be reached for comment.