We're changing our rules for quarantine beginning today.
On Tuesday, after reading the REALM Project: Test 2 Results, DPI and Wisconsin library system directors met and are recommending that the quarantine time for library materials be increased to 4 days from the previous standard of 3 days. While round one of the REALM test concluded that the virus does not survive more than three days on a book cover, the evidence in round 2 concluded that it can survive up to four days on the inside book pages and on the surface of board books and magazines. The research conducted and data collected by Battelle’s REALM project were requested by librarians as a response to the pandemic. Librarians will follow the research and data to make decisions.
We are making this change for the protection of library staff and library patrons.
The sharing of library materials is the bedrock of our service and puts libraries in a a unique position to prevent the spread of COVID-19 across large geographic areas. It would be too difficult to try and separate out materials with different quarantine rates, so we're choosing to apply the longest quarantine period identified to all library materials.
Americans trust libraries and librarians. We want to continue that positive relationship. It is our responsibility to society to follow the advice of our health officials who know best, and we will do whatever is necessary to keep people safe.
Other News
We're purchasing yet another wonderful online product, this time for homework help. BrainFuse Online Tutoring should be a tremendous help to kids stuck in an online learning environment with limited access to their local teachers and librarians. All SHARE libraries will offer this product starting in August.
This is good news. It's comforting to see all the work being done in the background to keep everyone safe.
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