Have you considered establishing a quarantine period of up and above 72 hours for the returned library materials that have possibly been exposed to or contaminated with the Coronavirus? How long this time should be, having in mind that medical studies show that wood, leather, paper, and other heritage object materials may contain and carry on the virus for up to 72 hours? What protective attire for librarians should be provided?
New Coronavirus Stable for Hours on Surfaces
The virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is stable for several hours to days in aerosols and on surfaces, according to a new study from National Institutes of Health, CDC, UCLA and Princeton University scientists in The New England Journal of Medicine. The scientists found that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was detectable in aerosols for up to three hours, up to four hours on copper, up to 24 hours on cardboard and up to two to three days on plastic and stainless steel. The results provide key information about the stability of SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19 disease, and suggests that people may acquire the virus through the air and after touching contaminated objects.
https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/new-coronavirus-stable-hours-surfaces
COVID-19 Resources & Information for the Museum Field (The American Alliance of Museums)
The American Alliance of Museums has compiled this guide to help museums prepare internally and externally for outbreaks in their communities and navigate the broader impact of COVID-19. AAM will continue to monitor this evolving situation and update this guidance as needed. These recommendations are not to be taken as legal advice or a definitive answer for any particular museum, but rather as a guide for preparedness for the field.
https://www.aam-us.org/programs/about-museums/covid-19-resources-information-for-the-museum-field/?fbclid=IwAR10SVM2pT-FYQVVGZ8Smakj92GDmXUUyO27gOIG9XYTwXX3xjYq49ZYp3A
Disinfecting Books and Other Collections / Quarantine and Staff Safety
The Northeast Document Conservation Center (NEDCC) recommends a 72-hour quarantine of collection items as the safest and most effective way to disinfect them after handling by staff and patrons.
https://www.nedcc.org/free-resources/preservation-leaflets/3.-emergency-management/3.5-disinfecting-books
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