We know our visitors care about being clean and keeping germs from hurting them, which is why we take extra special care to ensure that our library is very clean. Cleanliness is a priority for us, and we wanted to share with you some steps that we take to prevent the spread of germs and to keep the library safe and sanitary at all times.
Daily Cleaning
The library gets a lot of foot traffic, and all those people who come into the library often leave some germs behind, completely unintentionally. We know that people try to be safe and clean, but we also know that germs are very hard to get rid of completely. So, we take precautions in our daily cleaning to make sure we get rid of as many germs as possible.
We start by doing a basic cleaning to sweep the hardwood floors and vacuum the carpeted ones. This gets rid of most dirt, dust and germs. We also dust as necessary, usually on the tops of books and bookcases. Our basic cleaning also includes disposing of trash, which will keep away pests and keeps a sanitary environment.
On top of these kinds of cleaning tasks that every library has to do, we make sure to sanitize well. We spray down the surfaces that people tend to touch a lot, like door knobs and handles. We clean the shelves, doors, and librarian equipment (scanners and stamps) with sanitizer to kill germs. This eliminates most germs on contact and makes the most touchable spots in the library as safe as we can make them without inconveniencing anyone.
What’s great about many of the handles in the library is that they are made of metal, which is not a surface that germs can live on for very long at all, as metal naturally kills germs. So, we don’t have to do frequent cleaning to keep those touchable surfaces very clean.
Deep Cleaning
We also perform a deep cleaning as necessary. This is more intensive cleaning that requires us to bring in a professional cleaning service or dedicate a day to cleaning when the library is closed. We do this at least once a month to ensure that the library stays very clean and that problems with dirt, mold, and dust don’t accumulate and get out of hand.
A deep cleaning is much more intensive than our regular cleaning and involves tidying under furniture, behind appliances, and anywhere else that is a little tough to reach. We even clean up high, getting rid of dust, cobwebs, and other debris on the ceiling fans and along the ceiling trim.
There may be times where a deep cleaning needs to be performed more often, and we may do one of these special cleanings right before a big event when we expect lots of people to be in the library.
How You Can Keep Yourself Safe
The library should be a safe place for adults and children alike, and while we do our part to keep it that way, we also encourage our visitors to take some safety precautions of their own. To prevent the spread of germs in the library and to avoid coming into contact with germs of your own while in the library, try to use the following safety measures.
Wear face masks in the library when you are coughing or sneezing. You can also stay home when you feel unwell so that you do not make others sick. Remember that when you are ill, you can catch some illnesses more easily and be affected by some germs more easily since your immune system may be busy trying to make you better.
You should wash your hands before entering the library and then wash them again after you leave the library. That way, it is difficult for new germs to enter the building, and you are less likely to carry germs away with you.
When in the library, try to limit how many items you touch. Only touch the items you have to and avoid others. When in any public place, it is a good idea to keep your hands away from your face, especially your mouth and nose. You can easily pick up germs in public spaces that your body could be vulnerable to. When you touch your face, germs can more easily gain entry to your body through your mouth, eyes, and nose.
It is also a good idea to keep your distance from others in the library so as not to pick up germs from them. If you notice anyone coughing, sneezing, or exhibiting other symptoms of illness, you should try to keep as much distance as possible from them. If you are bringing children into the library, be sure they follow the same precautions and instruct them to limit what they touch. Kids have a tendency to touch everything that appeals to them, so you will want to monitor your kids closely and keep them near you so that you can keep their touching under control.
Final Thoughts
We do our best to keep the library safe, and we believe it can be extremely safe when cleanliness is well managed. Safety in the library is something everyone can be involved in, and if there is anything we can do to improve the cleanliness of the Harrison Library, please let us know. We want you to feel safe here and not have to be afraid of what you touch or what your kids touch.
We will continue to update and improve our sanitization and cleaning measures as we see fit. We listen to visitor feedback and value your input. The library is for everyone, and if we all do our part, we can minimize germs in the space and keep illness from spreading. We look forward to seeing you at the library soon and helping you feel welcome in our safe, clean space where imagination comes to life with the power of reading.
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