One of the many perks of working at a library is, well, books. All these lovely, precious books just waiting for you to read. Not everything is fun and readings, though. Think of all the dirty hands that touch your precious books. Some people lick their fingers to turn the pages. Others may lend out a book and eat while reading. Yuck.
So, how do you clean up after everyone’s mess?
The Boston Public Library recently caused a stir by tweeting about the Depulvera; the “car-wash” system it employs to clean their books:
A behind-the-scenes look at how we remove dust from our #books. It's like a mini car wash for books, minus the water! #libraries #booklovers pic.twitter.com/3xGI6ZEHVJ
— BostonPublicLibrary (@BPLBoston) April 20, 2017
Although the Depulvera will dust your books, what happens with all those grease stains and germs? Thankfully, it turns out there is a whole industry catering to library needs. The Library of Cairo has released a behind-the-scenes footage of their cleaning process:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHQ0F7hRyD4
However, as far as I’m concerned, you just can’t beat IDSmart’s BookShower: not only does it remove all dust, but it also sterilizes your book, including both cover and inner pages, in 30″ flat. It even adds what their website calls, “natural aroma!” Well done, RFID Library! Now I know what I want for Christmas…
I wouldn’t have thought of this. I just figured they never got dusty… ever. 😀 Thanks for the behind-the-scenes look.
I know, right? Me too! I’m so impractical sometimes 😀
Imagine that! I had no idea. I sometimes microwave a book that’s been used by a sick family member.
You microwave it?! I’d never heard of that, but it actually sounds like a good idea!
Very cool! Save the books! ??
Lol – quite so 😀
I like the third one, a sort-of book microwave. But only three books at a time? That’s going to be a long process, for a busy library.
Best wishes, Pete.
True. I don’t envy those librarians!