From Wendy Knapp, State Librarian of Ohio

Crosby Kemper, Director, Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), recently sent a letter to State Health Departments across the country. The purpose of the letter was to raise awareness of the work of IMLS and OCLC to help collections-based institutions such as museums, libraries, and archives reduce the spread COVID-19. Stephanie McCloud, Director of Health, Ohio Department of Heath, received the letter which detailed IMLS and OCLC science-based research findings and resources available that may help guide decision making. The letter described results of the REopening Archives, Libraries, and Museums (REALM) project testing to determine the length of time the virus remains on a variety of collections materials. Director Kemper encouraged health directors and other policy makers to consider the study’s findings when determining reopening guidelines.
 
While I wanted to share this letter with you, I wanted to also take a moment to thank you for all the extra lengths you’ve each gone to in order to keep library services going in Ohio and keep staff and patrons safe.