Sharing information from a IMLS press release:

IMLS - COVID-19 Research Partnership to Inform Safe Handling of Collections, Reopening Practices for Libraries, Museums

IMLS, OCLC, and Battelle will also engage a steering committee drawn from the museum and library fields with the goal of understanding and mitigating the impact of the virus. Together, they will help support the curation and development of information on how to handle materials, training, and cleaning in support of safely reopening and sustaining operations under a COVID-19 reality.

"As the national emergency has intensified, so has the concern over the handling of paper- and plastic-based, circulating, and the other types of collections and interactive exhibits managed by libraries, museums, and related organizations."

"The challenge of working with collections is compounded by inconclusive information on how the virus survives on surfaces and how-or if-different types of materials can be handled to mitigate exposure. As library systems, museums, and similar institutions across the United States plan for their reopening, an enhanced understanding of how to apply best practices in the context of local officials' guidance is absolutely essential in mitigating risk to employees in handling collections and engaging with the public,"...

"This project will likely not answer all the concerns around reopening, nor will it supersede community health guidance," said Kemper. "However, it is part of a larger, critical effort to help the more than 140,000 libraries and museums across the country."
Please read the entire press release and know that MSL will be monitoring the work of the steering committee.
https://www.imls.gov/news/covid-19-research-partnership-inform-safe-handling-collections-reopening-practices-libraries

Stay well everyone.
Janet


Janet McKenney
Director, Library Development
Maine State Library
SHS 64
230 State Street
Augusta, ME 04333

207-287-5603
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@janetmckenney (Twitter)