Library Books and Flu Germs

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Library Books and Flu Germs

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1Hope_H
Jan 24, 2018, 10:08 am

I work in a middle school library in the Midwestern U.S. We have record numbers of kids out with colds, strep, flu, influenza A, and other yucky, germy illnesses.

Do I need to sanitize books as they come back in?

If so, what's the best way?

Cross-posting in the Book Care and Repair group as well.

2lesmel
Jan 24, 2018, 10:16 am

I would say, at a minimum, you should wipe down the outside of the book with a Lysol wipe (10 min wet to "sanitize" or 4 minutes wet to "disinfect" -- not that Lysol explains the difference) or something similar. Probably not a Clorox wipe. You could probably get away with using rubbing alcohol.

3Hope_H
Jan 24, 2018, 10:28 am

Thanks for the advice. I think I will start that today!

Just wondering - what's the difference between a chlorox wipe and Lysol wipe, other than brand?

4davidgn
Modifié : Jan 24, 2018, 10:31 am

>2 lesmel: That seems like a good common-sense measure for items that might be checked out again same/next day.

If I thought there was a real issue, I'd say to look at UV-C sterilization wands.

But I don't.
http://mentalfloss.com/article/71875/just-how-gross-are-library-books-exactly

>3 Hope_H: Clorox contains bleach, right? Not a good mix with books, potentially, though plasticized surfaces should be OK.

52wonderY
Jan 24, 2018, 10:32 am

Also, do you wipe down computer keyboards and mouses (mice?)

6lesmel
Jan 24, 2018, 11:18 am

>5 2wonderY: That's not a bad idea either.

>1 Hope_H: You could put out some wipes like they do at the gym. Or have wipes available and post signs about the wipes.

7RowanTribe
Jan 24, 2018, 11:25 am

You can also use rubbing alcohol in a spray mister - at the end of each day, just liberally spray down the keyboards and mice and leave it to air dry.

8melannen
Jan 24, 2018, 11:31 am

If you're to the point where everything is that infectious, wiping down just the library books is probably not worth it (old viruses will also be all over the counters, and the chairs, and the computers, and the doorknobs, and lingering in the air.... not to freak you out or anything.)

We just keep some Lysol wipes behind the counter for when books are actively sticky or damp, or when they get sneezed on right at the returns counter, and we have alcohol-based hand sanitizer in pumps that we keep for the staff to use and put out for the public when disease risk is particularly high. I have mixed feelings about hand sanitizer too, because overusing it carries its own risks, but having it available when there's an active illness around seems useful. And pretty much all transmission from surfaces or objects involves a stop at the hands first.

9Hope_H
Jan 24, 2018, 1:27 pm

>5 2wonderY: We do wipe down keyboards and mouses - when I remember it or when I have a student who wants something helpful to do.

>4 davidgn: Ewww! I do some ideas for Science Fair now, though . . .

10misskate
Mar 5, 2018, 8:18 am

Considering germs. A librarian's lot is not a happy one.

11aspirit
Mar 8, 2020, 11:42 am

Asking as a patron and parent: Is checking out library materials safe this flu/corosnavirus this season?

12MarthaJeanne
Mar 8, 2020, 12:01 pm

Viruses don't survive long on surfaces. If someone with either virus coughed all over a book just before you read it, you might transfer some live viruses to your face if you touched the book and then your face. Which might infect you. However if that book was first carried in a bag to the library, then checked in, put on a cart and shelved, by the time you have picked it out ... and started to read it, the viruses will all be dead.

13aspirit
Mar 8, 2020, 2:06 pm

With that thought, is it fair to assume libraries aren't doing anything new to minimize infections?

I read coronavirus might survive on plastic for up to nine days, and CoV-19 was shown to be transferred to hard objects by touch.* Then touching the face can infect a new person.

*It was posts on LT mentioning these details that started my worry about checking out any more books.

https://www.librarything.com/topic/316600#7071002
https://www.librarything.com/topic/316600#7085406

14davidgn
Modifié : Mar 8, 2020, 2:12 pm

UV, of course, deactivates viruses...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B083TXSHCN/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_2?smid=A3GATU...

*SHRUG*

Would like to see libraries consider such things for circulation use.
(n.b. I found smaller and more expensive ones, but do they warm your towels, too? :-p)

15lesmel
Modifié : Mar 8, 2020, 4:24 pm

>12 MarthaJeanne: Based on an NHS FAQ some viruses can live up to 7 days on indoor surfaces. Even an average of 3-hour life span is longer than most library desk shifts.

>11 aspirit: Libraries and library books are no different than the goods in a grocery store. Or eating in a restaurant. And prevention is the same no matter what is floating around. Keys to prevention are good hand hygiene and awareness.

Good hand hygiene includes:
* washing with soap and water {1}
* not touching your face/eyes/nose/mouth

Every day, no matter the setting or current health concerns, you should:

Make an effort to not touch your face/eyes/nose/mouth.
Wash your hands with soap and water before you eat or touch your face/eyes/nose/mouth.
Use hand sanitizer if you don't have immediate access to soap and water.
Use wipes on surfaces where you will be touching things and then your face (like when you eat).
If someone is sneezing/coughing and hands you something, minimize contact and wash your hands as soon as possible. Also wipe down any surfaces the person touched or you touched prior to hand washing.
If you use gloves to minimize contact, wash your hands before and after use.

{1} https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/when-how-handwashing.html

editing for spelling

16aspirit
Mar 8, 2020, 2:54 pm

>15 lesmel: Because of autoimmune disorders and issues specific to where I live, I rarely shop (even in groceries stores) and don't eat in restaurants. I haven't had to think much about contact outside the home except at libraries, which are risky but usually worth the risk to reduce feelings of isolation. Usually.

17melannen
Mar 8, 2020, 10:49 pm

If you're at high risk and there's local transmission in your area, you might want to avoid the library for awhile. It's fundamentally and inescapably a public place where people gather. It might be a good time to explore your library's e-lending and streaming and e-learning options.

We aren't wiping down books, but we are offering lysol wipes for patrons to use on the covers of their books if they'd like (We've always had them, more people are asking this week, hopefully they will last). But if the virus can linger for days on dry paper (which is something the science isn't settled on yet) then it would probably be between the pages as much as on the covers, and we can't wipe down all the pages.

You could quarantine the items at home for days before reading, just in case, I suppose.

But you won't get sick from breathing near a contaminated book, so >15 lesmel: 's advice is probably good enough for most purposes, any time you are exposed to surfaces that have been out in public: don't touch your face and wash your hands with soap and water a lot.