The Institute of Museum and Libraries authorized a scientific testing firm, Battelle, to conduct a series of tests about common library materials and Covid-19.

 

There have been two test results so far indicating that books, paperbacks, magazines, etc. all retain the virus on their surfaces for different time periods.  The result is that we quarantine returned materials for three to four days before they are put back in circulation.   

 

The latest round of tests covered storage bags, storage containers, plexiglass, DVDs, and talking books and cassettes.  The results show that after five days of quarantine in an unstacked configuration, the virus was not detected on the storage bag or the DVD.  The storage container (rigid plastic), plexiglass and the USB cassette all showed detectable virus at five days.  They recommended a slightly longer quarantine for these types of plastic-based materials. 

 

So, we are increasing the quarantine period to five days for these kinds of materials.  And I recommend if you buy DVDs or music CDs, you might want to leave them alone and unstacked for five days for safety sake when you first receive them or if you have loaned them out. 

 

Contactless pickup continues at the library.  All it requires is for you to request up to five items at a time.  You can place holds on them on the library website or you can call.  We gather the items up, check them out to you, and call you when they are ready.  You can pick them up in the front foyer of the library from noon – 8 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday. 

 

Let me remind you that you can request DVDs, music CDs, magazines, stem toys, puzzles, coloring books, as well as books and paperbacks.  You are not limited to just books.  And since we are in a consortium with both Marion County Public Library and the Clarksburg-Harrison County Public Library, we can borrow requested items from them as well.  They are transferred to us every Monday and Thursday.