Did you know that a tidy workplace reduces the opportunity for accidents, and prevents wasted energy? Did you know that a messy working environment contributes to unsafe work practices, and undesirable incidents within the library? Did you also know that good housekeeping is a cornerstone of efficiency and maintenance standards?
Good housekeeping helps you
- manage and maintain your library property and equipment;
- keep up on your inventory;
- weed effectively;
- cut down on time spent searching for an item;
- improve productivity and moral;
- eliminate accidents and fire hazards;
- provide the best use of space;
- control property damage;
- reduce cleanup;
- and improves your library's appearance.
Although funds may be scarce for housekeeping in your rural library, you need to establish a housekeeping program to protect the assets you have. And, you may need some easy solutions to every day problems that won't break the bank. Here are just a few that will get you started:
Book Emergencies
Depending on the problem, you can usually rescue books with one of these time honored and inexpensive methods:
Damp or wet books can be easily dried in an oven at the lowest heat. To dry individual pages, place toilet paper between each page and lay flat with a light weight on top.
For mildew use a baby wipe or damp cloth dipped in white vinegar (you can also try to vacuum it off), then set the book in direct sunlight for no more than 30 minutes.
In the event you find insects in a book, place the book in a plastic bag and put it in the freezer for a few days. To prevent insects from returning, put cloves or bay leaves on your shelves behind the books. Smells great!
Cleaning Laptop Computers and Keyboards
Unlike desktop computer monitors, the screens of laptops are not made of glass. They are easily damaged, and replacing them is expensive. Some, however, can be cleaned with a barely moistened soft, lint-free cloth; but, always follow the manufacturer's instructions. Keep the owner's manual handy for this type of cleaning.
To remove dust and dirt from the keyboard, hold it upside down and brush between the keys with a soft watercolor brush, or the soft-brush attachment of a vacuum cleaner.
To remove visible dirt from the keyboard, shut down the computer, unplug the keyboard, use a can of compressed air to loosen dirt between the keys, and wipe with a soft, lint-free cloth lightly moistened with mild detergent and water, or with rubbing alcohol. You might also use a commercial keyboard wipe recommended in your owner's manual.
Keep a dust cover on the keyboard when not in use to prevent dust from settling in it.
Image: NiftyIdeas/Fun things at http://www.niftyatheist.com/search/label/Fun%20Things
