It is a fact that business as usual has changed, perhaps for good, especially when it comes to accessing legal research and reference. In the days of remote work, access to print library materials has become a fond memory. Many publishers have had to hit the pause button on printing updates for materials, not only protect their workers, but also because there just isn’t anyone at many of their customers’ offices to receive and process the updates when they arrive.

Many law firms have found this an excellent time to fully switch over to digital access only, ditching their print subscriptions for good. While this may seem like the most sensible move, some attorneys may find this decision untenable, especially those with a bare bones technical set up lacking dual monitors. Constantly struggling to minimize and maximize windows to compare and contrast various treatises, draft briefs, or consult case law is cumbersome and frustrating. Demand for increasing numbers of desk copies due to lack of a centralized firm-wide library or buy-in for conversion to digital may become the norm if shelter-in-place orders and remote work continue to extend throughout the autumn and winter months, or even beyond.

But what happens when these restrictions are lifted? Where does this leave the traditional print law library or firms with some print collections? The good news is that the CDC and the IMLS have released guidance on paper-based and other circulating library products that states the risk of print material contamination is not a significant cause of concern. (New REALM Project test results were issued this week.) Moreover, if there were cause to believe that an infected person directly contaminated the print material (through coughing or sneezing directly onto it), then the only measure necessary to ensure further safe handling of the material would be to place the item in quarantine for 72 hours (which is how long the virus can live under such circumstances) before allowing it to be handled again. The NEDCC offers excellent guidance on disinfecting books and other collections.

Of course, this means that new safety protocols would need to be developed for library access – but it is nothing which cannot easily be remedied. To that end, it is recommended that the following guidelines be used:

• Designate a book return drop off area where books that have been consulted may be returned for processing.
• Collect used print materials at end of day and move them to a designated shelf or cart for 72-hour decontamination.
• Make note of the titles consulted in their print form to gauge actual use vs. projected use and reshelve after 72 hours.

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Following this protocol will not only allow for the safe handling of print library materials, but also provides an excellent method to track material use for future library contracts and budgeting.

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For further reading about legal information vendors and professionals’ resources and response to COVID-19, take a look at the American Association of Law Libraries’ COVID-19 updates and resources. Also, Accufile has developed more expansive guidelines for its clients. Contact us if you’d like to learn more.