Information for Operators
Libraries are an important community resource; libraries can operate safely during the pandemic using the following public health measures in addition to their COVID-19 Safety Plan.
Ensure staff and customers are supported to adhere to
COVID-19 precautions, including staying home if sick, maintaining physical distancing, and frequently washing hands. COVID-19 is most commonly transmitted by droplets from person to person through sneezing or coughing. Consider areas in the library where people tend to congregate (e.g., computer areas, reception desk) and install plexiglass barriers or floor markers to support safe physical distance, and provide hand sanitizer in these areas.
There is no evidence that the COVID-19 virus is transmitted via textbooks, paper or other paper-based products. Laminated or glossy paper-based products (e.g., magazines and children’s books) and items with plastic covers (e.g., DVDs) can be contaminated if handled by a person with COVID-19; however, the risk of transmission between users of borrowed items is very low. In areas with low transmission in the community, evidence does not require libraries to quarantine or disinfect their loaned items. The focus should remain on ensuring physical distance and providing supplies to ensure staff and customers can wash their hands.
Clean and disinfect the premises
once a day, and clean and disinfect frequently touched items (door handles, shared desks, toilet handles)
twice a day. For harder to clean equipment that is shared by multiple people, such as keyboards, consider having customers use a disinfecting spray or provide a keyboard cover that can be removed and cleaned separately. Place hand sanitizer in these areas, and post signs asking people to clean their hands before and after use. See more information on cleaning and disinfecting
here.
For washrooms, toilet handles, tap handles, door handles, and counters should be cleaned and disinfected twice a day – full washroom cleaning and disinfection (mopping, scrubbing toilets, wiping down stalls, etc.) only needs to occur once a day.
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