REALM Project Update: Test 4 Results Announced

At this very moment, library workers are working very hard to ensure safety for their workers and users. One project focuses testing materials. The REALM project also known as “Reopening Archives, Libraries, and Museums” has recently published the results of the fourth round of Battelle’s laboratory testing for COVID-19 on five materials common to archives, libraries, and museums.

Here are the results:

“Four of the five items—hardcover book cover, softcover book cover, plastic protective cover, and DVD case—were part of Test 1, but in this round, the materials were stacked to simulate storage in a book drop, bin, or on shelves.

The fifth item, expanded polyethylene foam—commonly used in museum exhibits, storage, and shipping—was tested unstacked.

View the results at https://oc.lc/test4-results.

“Results show that after six days of quarantine the SARS-CoV-2 virus was still detected on all five materials tested. When compared to Test 1, which resulted in nondetectable virus after three days on an unstacked hardcover book, softcover book, plastic protective cover, and DVD case, the results of Test 4 highlight the effect of stacking and its ability to prolong the survivability of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.”

You may want to see the updates about the REALM project to plan accordingly.