[TAGS] Fwd: press release, Virus Undetectable on Five Common Library Materials After Three Days

[Cheryl Fogle-Hatch]

The press release that I forwarded below describes a research project
about the amount of time that the covid-19 virus lives on common
library materials. They give a project link with preliminary findings
about paper and books, and a place to sign up for updates. It might be
worth monitoring.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Institute of Museum and Library Services <imlsnews at imls.gov>
Date: Mon, 22 Jun 2020 10:04:59 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: Virus Undetectable on Five Common Library Materials After Three Days
To: c.k.fogle at gmail.com

First results from the REALM Project by IMLS, OCLC, and Battelle
released.  Research Shows Virus Undetectable on Five Highly Circulated
Library Materials  After Three Days  Findings are Part of REALM
Project to Produce Science-Based Information to Help Mitigate Exposure
to Virus Washington, DC— In the first phase of a project to
disseminate and develop science-based information about how materials
can be handled to mitigate exposure to staff and visitors, scientists
have found that the virus SARS-CoV-2 that causes COVID-19 is not
detectable on five common library materials after three days.  The
findings are part of the Reopening Archives, Libraries, and Museums
(REALM) Project designed to generate scientific information to support
the handling of core museum, library, and archival materials as these
institutions begin to resume operations and reopen to the public. The
first phase of the research is focusing on commonly found and
frequently handled materials, especially in U.S. public libraries.
Over the past few weeks, scientists at Battelle tested the virus on a
variety of surfaces, in environments with standard temperature and
relative humidity conditions typically found in air-conditioned office
space. Materials tested in phase one included the cover of hardcover
books (buckram cloth), the cover of softback books, plain paper pages
inside a closed book, mylar protective book cover jackets, and plastic
DVD cases. Battelle tests found the virus undetectable after one day
on the covers of hardback and softback books as well as the DVD case.
The virus was undetectable on the paper inside of a book and mylar
book jackets after three days. “It’s below the limit of detection on
our viability assay,” said Battelle Principal Research Scientist Will
Richter. Lab testing of physical items followed literature reviews
conducted by Battelle to help define the scope of the project’s
research and the information needs of libraries, archives, and
museums. Last week, the REALM Project released “Systematic Literature
Review of SARS-CoV-2: Spread, Environmental Attenuation, Prevention,
and Decontamination,” prepared by Battelle. This is an in-depth review
of published literature on virus transmission, attenuation, and
decontamination methods that can inform discussion and decisions about
operations in archives, libraries, and museums.   “Scientific research
is essential to answer questions about the spread of the coronavirus
on materials that are ever-present in our nation’s libraries,
archives, and museums,” said IMLS Director Crosby Kemper. “We
recognized the need to test specific items and surfaces as these
organizations are now reopening, asking: How can we mitigate risk to
staff? How should patrons and visitors handle books, touchable
exhibits, or DVD cases? Our aim was to equip America's libraries,
archives, and museums with information to help them do what they do
best: continue serving their communities. I am so pleased and hopeful
that this critical work will be reaching the people who need it."
“Results from this ongoing research project will help libraries,
archives and museums plan with greater confidence at a difficult
time,” said Skip Prichard, OCLC President and CEO. “Although there are
various sources of general information about handling materials in the
time of COVID-19, this project is designed specifically to test
materials and provide useful science-based information to these
institutions. Equipped with this critical information, they will be
better able to determine measures they can take to mitigate exposure
to staff and the communities they serve.”  “Any library worker would
agree that people make good decisions when their decisions are based
on facts and evidence,” said Nate Hill, Executive Director,
Metropolitan New York Library Council and member of the REALM Project
Steering Committee. “The output of the REALM Project, both the
systematic literature review and the lab test results, give library
workers the information they need to make practical, informed
decisions as they reopen their spaces and resume their services.”
Battelle will be initiating lab testing on an additional five
materials this month, with results expected by the end of July.
Examples of public library reopening plans are being collected,
curated, and shared to the website this week. The research reports
will inform development of toolkit resources, content, and programming
that will help translate the findings for real-world applications in
museums, libraries, and archives.  “As museums across the country
draft their reopening plans, we know that our exhibitions and
galleries contain a vast variety of materials that are not addressed
in state and federal public health guidelines,” said Carole Charnow,
President and Chief Executive Officer, Boston Children's Museum and
member of the REALM Operations Working Group. “Therefore, we need up
to date, science-based information specific to museums. For those of
us that are hands-on, interactive institutions, this is especially
critical. The REALM Project is providing the invaluable evidence-based
information museum professionals need in order to ensure the highest
possible standards of safety for our staff and visitors.”  The REALM
Project is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services
(IMLS), the primary source of federal funding for museums and
libraries; and OCLC, a nonprofit library technology and research
organization; in partnership with Battelle, a not-for-profit global
scientific research and development organization.  Project updates are
posted at oc.lc/realm-project as they become available. Those
interested can also sign up through the project website to receive
timely email updates when new information is released.     Click here
to view this email online. About Battelle   Every day, the people of
Battelle apply science and technology to solving what matters most. At
major technology centers and national laboratories around the world,
Battelle conducts research and development, designs and manufactures
products, and delivers critical services for government and commercial
customers. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio since its founding in 1929,
Battelle serves the national security, health and life sciences, and
energy and environmental industries. For more information, visit
www.battelle.org.   About OCLC  OCLC is a nonprofit global library
cooperative providing shared technology services, original research
and community programs so that libraries can better fuel learning,
research and innovation. Through OCLC, member libraries cooperatively
produce and maintain WorldCat, a comprehensive global network of data
about library collections and services. Libraries gain efficiencies
through OCLC’s WorldShare, a complete set of library management
applications and services built on an open, cloud-based platform. It
is through collaboration and sharing of the world’s collected
knowledge that libraries can help people find answers they need to
solve problems. Together as OCLC, member libraries, staff and partners
make breakthroughs possible. About the Institute of Museum and Library
Services (IMLS) The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the
primary source of federal support for the nation's libraries and
museums. We advance, support, and empower America’s museums,
libraries, and related organizations through grantmaking, research,
and policy development. Our vision is a nation where museums and
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-- 
Cheryl Fogle-Hatch, Ph.D.
Archaeologist and Museum Professional
(443) 939-8217
c.k.fogle at gmail.com
https://museumsenses.org
https://www.linkedin.com/pub/cheryl-fogle-hatch