[Web4lib] Germs and public keyboards

[Gilman, Mark]

Judy,

I think wiping a keyboard, mouse and surrounding areas with some alcohol
and a paper towel is probably better than doing nothing. Granted, it is
awkward to do that during the day, when the library is open and
terminals in use; however, one approach is to say something along the
lines of, "Hmmm. That mouse seems a little sticky. Let me clean it for
you. And while I'm at it, why don't I get that keyboard for you too?"

As for UV lights, here is one product:
http://www.sterilray.com/Schools/school_one.html  It seems pretty
over-the-top, but it is intriguing.  I recently attended a workshop on
the use of GIS in public health and learned of a homeless shelter in a
nearby city where there were a high percentage of TB carriers. Some kind
of UV lights were installed in the ceilings to cut down on the pathogens
floating about.  Here is an article about a similar, passive UV
approach:

http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/review/summer_uv.shtml

If it works, perhaps it would have some applicability in library
settings.  

Regards,
Mark Gilman
 
Municipal Reference Librarian
Urban Information Center
Dallas Public Library
1515 Young St., 6th floor.
Dallas, TX 75201
214-670-1482
http://dallaslibrary.org/cgi/cui.htm



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Message: 9
Date: Tue, 02 Dec 2008 10:12:40 -0600
From: Judy McBrian <jbrian at boonvillelib.net>
Subject: [Web4lib] Germs and public keyboards
To: "web4lib at webjunction.org" <web4lib at webjunction.org>,
	"dynix_l-request at codi.org" <dynix_l-request at codi.org>,	Horizon
	<horizon-l at mailman.xmission.com>,	INPUBLIB list
	<inpublib at list.statelib.lib.in.us>
Message-ID: <49355E78.90806 at boonvillelib.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed

In the grand scheme of things related to libraries, this is not a big 
deal, but if you're the one sneezing....

It's that time of year when everyone is sniffling, coughing. etc.
Director is concerned mainly about staff going to pc's to help patrons 
with issues on the computer.
Many of our patrons are teens, and many are not to careful about 
handwashing,etc.
When staff touch an "infected" key board, then because they are busy, 
for get to use
hand sanitize, they catch whatever.
Does anyone use anything to help this situation.  The grocery has wipes 
for cart handles, but wiping a
keyboard that's in use can get pretty funky.  
I've heard of germ killing lights???
Sprays that work, don't gunk up the keyboard, and can actually be 
inhaled by a
living organism???

Any input appreciated.  

Judy McBrian
Boonville Warrick Public Library