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REALM Project

Many AIC members have expressed health and safety concerns for both staff and visitors when museums, libraries, and archives gradually resume operations. Questions remain about the viability of the COVID-19 virus on paper and plastics in circulating collections, as well as on surfaces that are repeatedly touched, such as interactive screens and headphones.

I am delighted, therefore, that AIC has been invited to serve on the Steering Committee of the recently announced IMLS initiative, COVID-19 Research Partnership to Inform Safe Handling of Collections, Reopening Practices for Libraries, Museums.

In this capacity, AIC, represented by Executive Director Eryl Wentworth, will assist the IMLS, OCLC (a non-profit global library cooperative), and Battelle (a non-profit scientific research organization) as they evaluate and develop guidelines on how to handle materials, training, and cleaning in a lessened, but still persistent, COVID-19 presence. Other associations and collecting institutions on the Steering Committee include the American Alliance for Museums, the Association of Science and Technology Centers, National Archives and Records Administration, the Children’s Museums Association, the Smithsonian Institution, and the American Library Association, among others.

AIC will continue to update this page and keep it linked from our homepage. The IMLS Research Partnership is working for the rapid release of information in the coming weeks. We are united in our desire to provide access to collections, while insuring everyone’s wellbeing.

Margaret Holben Ellis
President

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Announcements

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Test 4 Results Announced (3 September 2020)

The REALM project has published the results of the fourth round of Battelle’s laboratory testing for COVID-19 on five materials common to archives, libraries, and museums.

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
Test 3 Results Announced (18 August 2020)

The REALM project has published the results of the third round of Battelle’s laboratory testing for COVID-19 on five plastic-based materials: talking book USB cassettes, DVD, storage bags, storage containers, and plexiglass.

View the Test 3 results at https://oc.lc/test3-results

Sign up for the REALM Project email list to receive timely REALM Project updates.

You can also follow OCLC on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn for the latest project updates and join the conversation using #REALMproject.
Test 4 Underway (4 August 2020)

Five items were selected for the fourth round of Battelle lab testing to examine the length of time the COVID-19 virus may live on materials commonly used in archives, libraries, and museums. The study began on Friday, July 31, on items provided by Columbus Metropolitan Library and the National Archives and Records Administration. In response to feedback from the library community and discussion among REALM working groups, four of the five items selected for test 4 are similar book materials as were studied in test 1; for this test they will be stacked to simulate their common storage configuration in bins, book drops, and on shelves.

For more information on these and other project activities, visit the “Happening Now” project update page. For more on the scope, timeline, and committees involved with #REALMproject, visit oc.lc/realm-project. Sign up to receive timely project email updates here.

REALM questions submission form

Archive, library, and museum staff can use this form to submit their questions about the REALM project to the team. We will do our best to respond to questions submitted.

The form can be found at https://oc.lc/realm-questions
August 4 webinar open for registration (23 July 2020)

REALM webinar scheduled for August 4

Through the REopening Archives, Libraries, and Museums (REALM) Project, OCLC, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and Battelle are conducting research on how long the COVID-19 virus survives on materials that are commonly handled in archives, libraries, and museums. Join staff from OCLC, IMLS, and Battelle for a free WebJunction webinar to learn more about the testing process, how to present results to your stakeholders, project resources to inform your local decisions, and what you can expect from the project in the months to come.

Register for the webinar

REALM questions submission form

Archive, library, and museum staff can use this form to submit their questions about the REALM project to the team. We will do our best to respond to questions submitted.

The form can be found at https://oc.lc/realm-questions
New test results announced (20 July 2020)

The REALM Project has published the results of the second round of Battelle’s laboratory testing for COVID-19 on five commonly handled materials: braille paper pages, glossy paper pages, magazine pages, children’s board books, and archival folders.

Read the REALM Project Test 2 results.

Visit the “Happening Now” for recent REALM Project updates; for more on the scope, timeline, and committees involved with #REALMproject, visit oc.lc/realm-project.

Sign up for the REALM Project email list to receive timely REALM Project updates.

You can also follow OCLC on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn for the latest project updates and join the conversation using #REALMproject.
Third round of testing begins July 10 (9 July 2020)

Five plastic-based items were selected for the third round of Battelle lab testing to examine the length of time the COVID-19 virus may live on materials commonly used in archives, libraries, and museums. The study begins July 10 on items provided by Columbus Metropolitan Library; the National Archives and Records Administration; and the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, Library of Congress. The results of test set 3 are expected to be released within four weeks. The second round of testing—examining paper-based materials—is still in progress; results will be shared later in July.

For more information on these and other project activities, visit the “Happening Now” project update page. For more on the scope, timeline, and committees involved with #REALMproject, visit oc.lc/realm-project.

Sign up for the REALM Project email list to receive timely REALM Project updates.
Second round of testing begins (25 June 2020)

Five items have been selected for Round 2 of Battelle lab testing to determine the length of time the COVID-19 virus may live on the surface of these porous materials. Testing began June 23, 2020, using materials provided by Columbus Metropolitan Library, the National Archives and Records Administration, and the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, Library of Congress. The results from test set 2 are expected to be released in late July 2020.

Also new to the REALM website this week is compilation of select reopening plans from public libraries that can be helpful reference examples. This section will be updated and expanded to include other institutional types as the project progresses.

For more information on these and other project activities, visit the “Happening Now” project update page. For more on the scope, timeline, and committees involved with #REALMproject, visit oc.lc/realm-project.
Round 1 test results now available (22 June 2020)

The REALM Project has released the results of the first round of Battelle’s laboratory testing for COVID-19 on commonly circulated library materials. The five materials tested in this round included a hardback book cover (buckram cloth), paperback book cover, plain paper pages inside a book, plastic protective book covering, and a DVD case.

We encourage you to sign up for the REALM Project email list to receive timely project updates when new information is released. For more information on this first round of testing, visit the “Happening Now” project update page. For more on the scope, timeline, and committees involved with #REALMproject, visit oc.lc/realm-project.

You can also follow OCLC on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn for the latest project updates and join the conversation using #REALMproject.
Systematic literature review released (17 June 2020)

The REALM Project has released “Systematic Literature Review of SARS-CoV-2: Spread, Environmental Attenuation, Prevention, and Decontamination,” prepared by Battelle. This is an in-depth review of published literature on virus attenuation on commonly found materials that can inform discussion and decisions about operations in archives, libraries, and museums.

For more information on this first round of testing and other activities, visit the “Happening Now” project update page. For more on the scope, timeline, and committees involved with #REALMproject, visit oc.lc/realm-project
REALM Project roles available (10 June 2020)
There are three open positions to support REALM Project activities:
- Toolkit Editor, Libraries and Archives: submit application by Tuesday, June 16, 2020
- Toolkit Editor, Museums: submit application by Tuesday, June 16, 2020
- Evaluation Consultant: respond to RFP by Friday, June 19, 2020
Project test plan and preliminary literature review released (3 June 2020)

The REALM Project has released the document, “Test Plan for the Natural Attenuation of SARS-CoV-2 as a Decontamination Approach.” This is a technical document that explains the process and details about conditions for testing materials provided by archives, libraries, and museums.

A preliminary literature review—prepared by Battelle—is now available. This review informed the context for the laboratory research that is currently underway.

For more information on this first round of testing and other activities, visit the “Happening Now” project update page. For more on the scope, timeline, and committees involved with #REALMproject, visit oc.lc/realm-project.
Round 1 material testing underway (20 May 2020)

Five items commonly found in public libraries have been selected for initial lab testing to determine the length of time the COVID-19 virus may live on the surface of these materials. Testing began May 13, 2020 using materials provided to Battelle by Columbus Metropolitan Library, and the results of this first round are expected to be released mid-June.

For more information on this first round of testing and other activities, visit the “Happening Now” project update page. For more on the scope, timeline, and committees involved with #REALMproject, visit oc.lc/realm-project.
REALM Project site launches (12 May 2020)

REopening Archives, Libraries and Museums (REALM) is a research partnership between OCLC, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and Battelle to create and distribute science-based information and recommended practices designed to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 to staff and visitors who are engaging in the delivery or use of museum, library, and archival services.

Visit oc.lc/realm-project for more information on the project, research timeline, and committee members. Project updates and resources will be added to this information hub as they become available.

REALM Project site launchesWe encourage you to sign up to receive project updates by email and/or bookmark the project page, as it will be the primary source for housing all program results and resources. You can also follow OCLC on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn for the latest project updates and join the conversation using #REALMproject.