Source
r/librarians•
grumpymeatball

To clean or not to clean, that is the confusing question?

Discussion

What is your library's procedure concerning library materials (books and media)?

There have been conflicting reports recently about whether cleaning, extended quarantine, or a combination of both is the appropriate action to reduce virus transmission on physical materials. The length of time the virus can potentially live on surfaces seems to change weekly from REALM, ALA, and the CDC.

Our library has been placing items in quarantine for 24 hours and cleaning all bookcovers/DVD cases/board books with a sanitizing solution.

Other libraries in our area are not cleaning but using extended quarantine (from 3-6 days) instead.

Thoughts, concerns, and what is your procedure?

Posted Sep 5, 2020, 2:50 PM UTC

1823
lmthevampireslayerPublic Librarian•

We quarantine items for 96 hours before checking them in. The problem with the realm study is that it was in extreme conditions with no airflow. I’d like to see results based various circumstances. Also, does detectable equal transmissible? I don’t know.

The CDC says surface transmission is low at this time. I think a 4 day quarantine is sufficient, but I’m also open to hearing from experts since I am not one

18
kppn114MLIS Student•

In one of my other groups, someone contacted REALM directly about the detectable vs transmissible question, but did not receive a straight answer. They also didn't get the impression that REALM had any plans to address that question in the near future.

3
lmthevampireslayerPublic Librarian•

Yeah that makes me question that study. I definitely think quarantining items is a good idea, but I doubt that one week is necessary

2
bitternmangerAcademic Librarian•

We were doing just a three day quarantine. But after that report came out earlier this week about the virus on stacked items, we might extend the quarantine length and not stack quarantined items any more.

16
toothgrinding•

Can you link to the report talking about stacking items. I haven’t seen it

1
bitternmangerAcademic Librarian•

Here’s the link: https://www.imls.gov/news/scientists-find-virus-still-detectable-after-six-days-four-common-library-materials-when

1
bananathehannahh•

We quarantine the books for 3 days, in separate bins, according to the day they came back in

5
kppn114MLIS Student•

We were quarantining for four days, checking in on the fifth. Based on the latest results, we are now spreading the items out in a way that allows airflow around the items, but are not extending the quarantine.

Edit -- spelling correction

5
SpotISAGoodCat•

We quarantine all returned items in our agency for four days. Our deliveries sit in quarantine for four days and sprayed with a anti-bacterial solution before being sent to us. Any items that patrons physically handle but don't check out are sprayed and wiped down with the same solution and then quarantined for four days.

3
lacitar•

We put them on a shelf for 3 days. We have no wipes at our branch, but have a spray cleaner. We are not allowed to use the spray cleaner on our materials as we still do not have enough cleaner. We have been open since July.

3
MyPatronusisaPopple•

You sound similar to my library except we’ve been open since June. I had a patron asking about our cleaning protocols. But I wanted to say do you know how many people touch the dvd cases and put them back on shelf. We don’t have the staff to clean all items daily.

4
lacitar•

Exactly. I work in the children's department. You have no clue how often they shove DVDs down their pants. Speaking of which, we just got told we have 1 more week until the unattended kids start walking over from the elementary school. Since we have no cleaner I have no clue how we are expected to clean. There are over 50 of them.

5
MyPatronusisaPopple•

I normally am in children’s but due to staffing shortage I’m the only full time person covering circulation. We get a lot a parents wondering why don’t we have puzzles and games out for kids. As one person, I can’t clean everything after each use. It’s hard enough to maintain cleaning our self check out machines and I’m pretty sure I’m having some kind of reaction to our cleaning solution. My right hand is covered in blisters.

5
lacitar•

Are you using gloves? Have you considered buying your own cleaner? If you are getting blisters can you assign someone else to clean it?

And oh yes, we keep on getting kids and parents throwing tantrums because there are no toys.

3
ceruleanseasLibrary Assistant•

Oof, blisters is definitely some kind of reaction. Is whatever cleaner you're using being diluted properly?

I would use gloves if you aren't already. You can also try washing your hands right after cleaning stuff, if gloves aren't available. See a doctor if the blistering doesn't clear up in a few days, though, and notify your manager in case you need to file for workman's comp.

3
iampaperclippe•

We're doing a 7 day quarantine after the results of recent studies. Cleaning potentially hazardous materials is too risky for staff and too ineffective.

2
Cerpicio•

6 day quarnt.

No way we could sanitize everything coming in without like 1.5x the staff

2
awalktojericho•

School library, we just let it sit for 3 days before touching it.

2
S_Jonesss•

Where we’ve been keeping items (for 3-4 days), there’s not a lot of airflow. They’re sitting in a closet in the meeting room, since we have to let people use the room if they want. We don’t have the man power to shelve, do our normal jobs, do curbside, and sanitize everything. I sent the new study to my director, but I doubt anything will come of it (which sucks, because we should!). We have an outside person coming in to wipe surfaces that are commonly used. Other than that... nothing special. It’s rough.

2
splittysplatty•

Our library has been doing 24 hours for the past month or so. I can’t even fathom where we would put 6 days worth of materials while we waited for them to quarantine...

2
bookchaser•

Ideally, quarantine for 10 days for good measure, not stacking books. Your books have to sit on some surface, which is akin to stacking, so flip that book upside down after 5 days.

1