Always be intentional around library materials. Make sure you are healthy and well and think about the health of the items you are coming into contact with on a regular basis.
Wash your hands before handling library materials for the well-being of the items and wash your hands after handling library materials for your own well-being. Hands should be completely dry before holding items. Avoid any gripping/paper aid when flipping through pages of books and avoid licking your fingers for the same purpose. Books contain dirt that should not be put in your mouth and your saliva contains compounds that will speed up the degradation of paper. You should also avoid touching eyes, nose, hair, etc. when handling items.
Pick up a collection item by its most solid component. Remember that a handle or protruding part might not be solid or able to bear the weight of the rest of the item. Hold books in the middle of their spine or in the crook of your arm. Avoid carrying so many items/books in your hands that you are needing to support the stack with your body. In this instance, use a cart to hold/transport items.
Books rarely to never need to be handled wearing nitrile gloves. Just be aware that one should wear nitrile gloves when handling almost every other object, including anything with metal parts, wood, ivory, textiles, electronic media, photographic materials, CDs, plastics, etc. Books with metal clasps or embosses only require nitrile gloves if you will be touching the clasps. Books should not be stored with their clasps closed but kept open and researchers should be informed about not touching or closing the metal parts of a book prior to research.
Nitrile gloves should fit the width of your hand, be clean, and replace regularly as needed. Avoid cotton gloves and contact conservation if you need more information about wearing gloves around collection items.
Lotions and highly perfumed products are to be avoided while at work. These contain harmful compounds that will speed up the degradation of materials. Discuss with preservation other options if the employee requires lotion for medical reasons.
Be careful with your jewelry, belt buckles, and/or hanging identification badges while handling library materials. These may damage collection items.
The age of the Smathers Library Building means that it is more sensitive to environmental conditions than other library buildings. ILF, ILF2, and ALF also are more sensitive to environmental conditions due to their warehouse-type build. For this reason, offices should be neat, clean, and dry. Avoid stacking and overcrowding books and items on shelves or desks. Books should only be stacked about four books high in most instances--with brittle books stacked even less.
A regular cleaning and tidying of an office will include vacuuming, dusting, and cleaning of surfaces about once a month. Surfaces need only be cleaned with water and lint-free towels. Make sure surfaces are completely dry before placing collection items on them again. Avoid using harsh cleaners on any surface that collection items will interact with.
Plants are not permitted in the Smathers Building, ILF, ILF2, and ALF. Food should only be kept in break rooms and consumed in break rooms or the conference rooms on the main floor. See The Building Environment: Integrated Pest Management section for more information about office plants and food/drink in the libraries.
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