The Creepy Truth About Why Libraries Need Germ Removal

June 20, 2016

When you go to a library to read a book, you're basically going to a comfortable, quiet place, with enough lighting to be able to engage in your reading. You will have long and tall shelves where the books are stored, mobile shelving, and racks, tables, and comfortable chairs. Everything that resembles a comfy and warm atmosphere. One big problem with libraries is that since they have many books–some of which are never used–they also have a tremendous amount of dust and dust mites. Some people, especially the ones susceptible to dust, may even develop allergies and asthma since dust and dust mites can be asthma triggers. A lot has been done to eliminate dust from books, but little has been achieved since a method to disinfect a book without damaging its pages has yet to be found. For libraries to keep offering a comfortable place for all their readers, they must use a Germ Removal service.

Going to a library is like submerging yourself into a different world —the world of books where anything can happen and you can be anyone you want to be. Reading a book, flipping through its worn pages, and picturing all the exciting stories the author tells is an indescribable feeling. The truth is that reading a book is one of the best things there is. The problem with library books is the number of germs and bacteria that are hidden in them. Libraries have so many places where dust accumulates, and books are one of them. Some books are very old and are almost never touched. Others are people's favorites and have been touched more than a million times. They are harmless to the naked eye, but under the microscope, they are a garden of germs and bacteria. You may not catch a disease from reading books, but they can trigger allergies and asthma in susceptible people. Unlike other items like toys or furniture, books are hard to disinfect and sanitize. You can't wash a book or vacuum it to get rid of the dust, and even if you could, you might not have enough time or the patience to do so. Can you imagine wiping dust off of each and every book in the library and going through all of its pages?

The problem with books is that they are delicate. The ideal method to disinfect a book would be one that could preserve the condition of the book. The problem with that is the pages of the book. While you may be able to disinfect most book covers, the book's pages don't have the same luck. You can't just go through them and rub them with alcohol or another disinfectant. One thing that pesticide specialist Alicia Leytem recommends is to put the book in a cloth bag and then put it in a hot dryer for 30 minutes. That will kill the bugs and their eggs.

While there is more you can do for book sanitizing and disinfecting, a sure way to eliminate the amount of dust from books is by trying to get the least amount of dust on them in the first place. How can this be achieved? The only way is to reduce the amount of dust the book comes into contact with. Strict cleaning and sanitizing must be done on all items present in the library. The less amount of dust and dirt present in the library, the less amount of dust the book will come into contact with. All of this can be achieved with Germinator's patent-pending process and services to help libraries.

Germinator's Patent-Pending Process

Germinator's patent-pending methodology is the most unique and cost-effective means of providing enhanced antimicrobial protection for businesses and residences. The company first tests surfaces for ATP using a luminometer to detect light that can come from cellular activity. This measurement immediately provides the level of clean on a surface.

The next step is the application of Germinator's Genesis surface treatment. Genesis is a one-step cleaner and broad-spectrum sanitizer and disinfectant treatment that harnesses the power of hypochlorous acid (HOCl). Derived from naturally occurring minerals, Genesis not only eliminates odors at their source but kills a wide range of bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA, Salmonella enterica and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and viruses including norovirus, rotavirus, and adenovirus on hard, non-porous, environmental surfaces. It meets the Association of Official Agricultural Chemists (AOAC) germicidal spray standards for Hospital Grade Disinfection and is on the EPA's N List of products determined to meet the criteria for use against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. As a result, this treatment will eliminate bacteria and viruses that may reside in your environment without the use of harsh chemicals or fumes.

Following Genesis, Germinator applies its Shield, a water-based quaternary ammonium compound that imparts a durable bacteriostatic finish. It is EPA-registered as effective against mold, mildew, algae, and odor-causing bacteria. This application creates an invisible barrier that helps combat deterioration and discoloration and promotes freshness for up to three months.

The Genesis and Shield products are applied by using an electrostatic sprayer, which is the most efficient and effective means of delivering the products to the intended application sites. After Germinator's surface treatment and protectant services, the company retests ATP levels to help ensure the surfaces have achieved the intended results.

Our goal is to provide libraries and their users with a comfortable environment ideal for anyone that wants to submerge themselves in the pleasures of reading a book. If you feel your library needs a hygienic and convenient environment for your book readers, give us a call at 855-NO-GERMZ (664-3769) or fill in the form below to contact our offices and find out more about the services we offer. Once you call, we will come right to your doorstep and do all the dirty work, while you rest assured you will have a comfy environment in an hour or less. Remember to always stay in touch by liking our page on Facebook at Facebook at Germinator, following us on Twitter @GerminatorMS and Instagram @GerminatorMS. If you want to stay tuned for the latest information about Germinator, subscribe to our Newsletter.

References

The Wall Street Journal: Are There Critters and Germs in My Library Books?