Sanitising books and spaces during the COVID-19 pandemic

During the Covid-19 pandemic, libraries across the world are in the same, uncertain situation. Librarians are asking the same question how do we keep our spaces and resources safe for our users and staff? While most libraries have closed during the lockdown period, there are still concerns around book circulation, not to mention what will happen when the libraries start to re-open.

I found this recorded webinar very interesting: Mitigating COVID-19 When Managing Paper-Based, Circulating, and Other Types of Collections https://www.imls.gov/webinars/mitigating-covid-19-when-managing-paper-based-circulating-and-other-types-collections.  Experts from the United States Center for Disease Control (CDC) were invited to talk about the CDC’s guildlines for disinfection, and to discuss how libraries, archives, and museums can help limit the spread of COVID-19 when working with their collections. The Q and A session at the end of the webinar highlighted librarians’ concerm about books as a means of transmitting the virus, however, the CDC does not view paper-based materials as highly concerning. Because paper-based materials are porous, it is more difficult for the virus to be transmitted from that material onto a person’s hands. Of course, as mentioned in the webinar, if librarians are still concerned, quarantining the books remains the only way to ‘decontaminate’ them without damaging them.

The American Library Association has put together a list of resources regarding ‘Handling Library Materials and Collections During a Pandemic’. This list is updated regularly and includes information on the disinfection of various resources, information on Covid-19, as well as the different ways libraries across the United States are dealing with this pandemic. http://www.ala.org/alcts/preservationweek/resources/pandemic

Finally, the Library History Round Table (also part of the ALA) has collated a list of research articles regarding how libraries world-wide have reacted to epidemic outbreaks in the past. Not only are these articles of historical interest but they could reveal methods of dealing with today’s crisis—as well as what to avoid doing.  Included in this list are library responses to the AIDS pandemic, measles outbreaks, general articles on ‘books and germs’ and articles about libraries and disease in the late 19th and early 20th century, where during some epidemics in America, books were burned to prevent transmission of disease! https://lhrtnews.wordpress.com/pandemics-and-library-history/

The main point is that our library spaces and surfaces need to be cleaned and disinfected before clients and staff return, and will need to be continually sanitised thereafter.. Non-porous surfaces are the greatest concern and this includes all counters, desks and computers. The safest way we can ensure that our books are virus-free is to quarantine them for 24-72 hours, even though books are not considered vehicles of transmission. Not only did I find this information interesting, but I also found it helpful when planning for my unit.

Although most of these resources refer to an American or European context, much of the information is useful to South African libraries and librarians, many of whom are justifiably concerned in the current lockdown climate.