Always be intentional around library materials. Make sure you are healthy and well and think about the health of the items you are encountering 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 your 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.
Circulating items rarely to never need to be handled wearing nitrile gloves. Just be aware that one should wear nitrile gloves when handling electronic media, photographic materials, CDs, and anything with metals. 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 book and paper items.
Offices that often or occasionally have collections items in them should be neat, clean, and dry. Avoid stacking and overcrowding books and items on shelves or desks. Books should only be stacked at 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 and Food should be kept off surfaces that collection items also use. See The Building Environment: Integrated Pest Management section for more information about office plants and food/drink in the libraries.
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