My first shift at a volunteer-run library within a transitional housing center went so well. It had been a while since I worked a desk shift, so I was fearful that I'd be out of practice. But the patrons were great, I was able to easily locate items in the collection, and I got a fun array of questions.
Two days later, however, was an entirely different story: I was sick. And not just sick with a little cold, but eight-hours-of-complete-agony sick in which I spent more time in the bathroom than my bed.
During my recovery, I saw a message posted in the housing center's internal volunteer message board with the subject line: "NOROVIRUS OUTBREAK?!" I considered all of the things I had done in the library that day: moved chairs, picked up headphones, pulled DVDs, fixed the TV, put away headphones, shelved books, threw out old magazines … and not once did I use hand sanitizer.
To prevent future outbreaks, I crowdsourced some tips from other librarians on how they keep their technology and spaces clean — especially during flu season. Sharing headphones, in particular, seems to be the biggest germ spreader, and therefore, many libraries no longer lend them out.
Lysol wipes also are a popular tool in the library sanitizing arsenal.
"Part of our cleaner's weekly duties include wiping the keyboards. We will also pay attention; if someone seems really "coughy" or "sneezy," we go and spray some Lysol on the chairs and table tops, then Lysol wipe down the keyboard and mouse.
— Julie Elmore, Oakland City Columbia Township Library (Indiana)
"Our Friends of the Library purchased earbuds. Patrons can buy them for $1.50. The Friends only make about $.50/pair, so it's really more of a service than an income generator. I like knowing that we aren't sharing viruses or head lice.
"We keep sanitizer available for patrons and staff at the front desk. We have court-ordered community service workers serving in the library, and they wipe down all the keyboards/mouse, etc. with Lysol wipes on a regular basis."
— Joyce Baker, Coolidge Public Library (Arizona)
"Before the patrons use the computers, they have to use the sanitizer, and I wipe the headphones and desk down each day."
— Gladys Leeper, Pike County Library (Arkansas)
"We require patrons to bring their own headphones or earbuds. We sell inexpensive ones at cost for $2.00 for those who need them."
— Leah Krotz, Belleville Public Library (Kansas)
After receiving such fantastic tips, I put in a suggestion to the volunteer coordinator for Lysol wipes and hand sanitizer for the reference desk. So far, it has been working out pretty well!
