CloudLibrary^™ lets libraries build and share ebook and eaudiobook collections and provide library users access to digital magazines, newspapers, comics, graphic novels, and manga.

CloudLibrary’s unique content sharing program, CloudLink^™, is a budget-friendly way to expand the breadth and depth of your ebook and eaudiobook collection. You’ll increase circulation of lesser-used titles, and decrease hold times on popular materials by working with other CloudLink libraries in your state.

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REALM Project

REopening
Archives, Libraries,
and Museums

Research

The REALM project research includes two key components: reviews of the scientific literature and studies to provide information on how long the virus can survive on materials common to archives, libraries, and museums. Reviews of the scientific literature are designed to evaluate existing research about SARS-CoV-2  that may pertain to the materials, physical settings, and operations of these institutions. These areas of inquiry include how the virus is transmitted, how to mitigate its spread, and the impacts of vaccines and variants. 

Supporting documentation

All REALM project materials are published under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial-Share Alike 4.0 license.

Most recent update

Research briefing: Ventilation

July 7, 2022

This research briefing, prepared by researchers at Battelle, is intended to provide timely information about the latest research on the effects of ventilation on the spread of COVID-19, to libraries, archives, museums, and their stakeholders. This is a review of scientific literature published from 1 January 2022 through 27 May 2022.

Past literature reviews and briefings

Research briefing: Vaccines, variants and ventilation

December 16, 2021

This research briefing from Battelle covers research published through November 29, 2021, on COVID-19 vaccines, SARS-CoV-2 variants, and ventilation that may help inform local decision-making.

Research briefing: Vaccines, variants and ventilation

November 18, 2021

This briefing covers research published through November 1, 2021, on COVID-19 vaccines, SARS-CoV-2 variants, and ventilation that may help inform local decision-making.

Updated research briefing: Vaccines, variants and ventilation

October 14, 2021

This briefing covers research published through September 27, 2021, on COVID-19 vaccines, SARS-CoV-2 variants, and ventilation that may help inform local decision-making.

Research briefing: Vaccines, variants and ventilation

September 23, 2021

This briefing covers research published through September 6, 2021, on COVID-19 vaccines, SARS-CoV-2 variants, and ventilation that may help inform local decision-making.

Updated research briefing: Vaccines, variants and ventilation

September 2, 2021

This briefing covers research published through August 16, 2021, on COVID-19 vaccines, SARS-CoV-2 variants, and ventilation that may help inform local decision-making.

August research briefing: Vaccines, variants and ventilation

August 12, 2021

This briefing covers research published through July 26, 2021, on COVID-19 vaccines, SARS-CoV-2 variants, and ventilation that may help inform local decision-making.

Vaccines, variants and ventilation: research briefing

July 22, 2021

This briefing covers research published through July 5, 2021, on COVID-19 vaccines, SARS-CoV-2 variants, and ventilation that may help inform local decision making.

See also: Key takeaways from the research briefings (visual aid)

July updated research briefing: Vaccines, variants and ventilation

July 1, 2021

This briefing covers research published through June 14, 2021, on COVID-19 vaccines, SARS-CoV-2 variants, and ventilation that may help inform local decision making.

Updated research briefing: Vaccines, variants and ventilation

June 10, 2021

This briefing covers research published through May 17, 2021, on COVID-19 vaccines, SARS-CoV-2 variants, and ventilation that may help inform local decision making.

Research briefing: Vaccines, variants and ventilation

May 20, 2021

This briefing covers research published through April 26, 2021, on COVID-19 vaccines, SARS-CoV-2 variants, and ventilation that may help inform local decision making.

Research briefing: Vaccines and variants

April 20, 2021

This briefing covers research published through March 15, 2021 on COVID-19 vaccines and SARS-CoV-2 variants that may help inform local LAM decision making

Systematic literature review: Phase 3

March 5, 2021

This third systematic literature review summarizes research published through November 2020 on how the SARS-CoV-2 virus spreads, its survival on materials and surfaces, and the effectiveness of various prevention and decontamination measures.

See also: Key takeaways from Phase 2 and 3 literature reviews (visual aid)

Systematic literature review: Phase 2

October 14, 2020

This second systematic literature review summarizes research on SARS-CoV-2 published between mid-May and mid-August 2020 on how the virus spreads, the lifespan of of the virus on materials, and effectiveness of various prevention and decontamination measures.

See also: Key takeaways from Phase 2 literature review (visual aid)

Systematic literature review: Phase 1

June 17, 2020

A detailed literature review exploring the scientific research on SARS-CoV-2 published through mid-May 2020.

Preliminary literature review: Phase 1

June 3, 2020

The information helps to set the context for the Battelle laboratory research conducted during Phases 1 and 2 of the REALM project.

Test plan

REALM test results

As part of the REALM research, Battelle conducted eight natural attenuation studies to provide information on how long the SARS-CoV-2 virus may survive on materials common to archives, libraries, and museums. Below are the results of tests completed between June 2020 and February 2021.

Explore a sortable table of complete research test results for the REALM project

Get answers to frequently asked questions about research results

REALM Battelle laboratory testing process video Watch this video from the REopening Archives, Libraries, and Museums (REALM) project to learn how Battelle scientists to tested how long the COVID-19 virus lived on materials common to archives, libraries, and museums in the first phase of REALM research.

Test 1 results

22 June 2020

Five items commonly found in public libraries, which are also in high circulation and expected to arrive back in public libraries in large volumes, were selected for Test 1. The materials were provided by Columbus Metropolitan Library.

Download Test 1 results

Download Test 1.1 and Test 1.2 raw data.

Test 1 results
Item	Material	Conditions	Result
Hardback book cover	Buckram book cover	Testing was conducted by applying the virulent SARS-CoV-2 virus on five materials held at standard room temperature and humidity conditions. Items were laid flat.	Results show that the SARS-CoV-2 virus was not detectable on the materials after three days of quarantine.
Softback book cover	Trade paperback
Plain paper pages inside a closed book	--
Plastic book covering	Biaxially oriented polyester film
DVD/CD case	Polypropylene

Test 2 results

20 July 2020

Materials were provided by Columbus Metropolitan Library, the National Archives and Records Administration, and the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, Library of Congress.

Download Test 2 results

Download Test 2 raw data.

Item	Material	Conditions	Result
Archival folders	--	Stacked	Results show that after two days of quarantine, the virus was not detectable on the archival folders. After four days of quarantine, the virus was not detectable on the braille pages, glossy book pages, and board book. The magazine showed a trace amount of virus at four days. Day four was the final timepoint tested.
Glossy pages	As found in coffee table books	Stacked
Children’s board book	--	Stacked, tested inside the book
Braille paper	--	Stacked
Magazine pages	--	Stacked

Test 3 results

18 August 2020

For Test 3, five plastic-based items were selected. The materials were provided by Columbus Metropolitan Library, the National Archives and Records Administration, and the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, Library of Congress.

Download Test 3 results

Download Test 3 raw data.

Item	Material	Conditions	Result
DVD	Polycarbonate	Unstacked	Results show that after five days of quarantine the virus was not detectable on the storage bag or the DVD. The storage container, plexiglass, and the USB cassette all showed recoverable virus at five days. Day five was the final timepoint tested.
Storage bag	Flexible plastic: Low-density polyethylene (LDPE), recycling #4	Unstacked
USB cassette	Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, specific blend	Unstacked
Storage container	Rigid plastic: High-density polyethylene (HDPE), recycling #2	Unstacked
Plexiglass	Acrylic display cases and partitions	Unstacked

Test 4 results

2 September 2020

Four of the five items in Test 4 are similar book materials to Test 1, but in Test 4, these items were stacked to simulate their common storage configuration in bins and book drops and on shelves. The fifth item, expanded polyethylene foam, has not been tested previously and was done so in open-air conditions.

A visual comparing the stacked to unstacked materials is available.

Download Test 4 results

Download Test 4 raw data.

Item	Material	Conditions	Result
DVD/CD case	Polypropylene	Stacked	Results show that after six days of quarantine the SARS-CoV-2 virus was still detected on all five materials tested. When compared to Test 1, which resulted in nondetectable virus after three days on an unstacked hardcover book, softcover book, plastic protective cover, and DVD case, the results of Test 4 highlight the effect of stacking and its ability to prolong the survivability of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Hardcover book cover	Buckram cloth	Stacked
Softcover book cover	Trade paperback	Stacked
Plastic protective cover	Biaxially oriented polyester film	Stacked
Expanded polyethylene foam	1-inch thickness	Unstacked, open air

Test 5 results

14 October 2020

For Test 5, four fabrics and leather—materials commonly used for bookbinding, upholstery, and crowd control—were selected. The materials were provided by the American Museum of National History, a private donation and through procurement from vendors.

Download Test 5 results

Download Test 5 raw data.

Item	Material	Conditions	Result
Leather book cover	Leather (circa 1861)	Unstacked	Results show that after eight days of quarantine, SARS-CoV-2 virus was still detected on leather and synthetic leather materials. For the polyolefin fabric and nylon webbing, only the amount of virus after the initial 1 hour of drying time could be measured. No data for the cotton fabric could be collected or reported.
Synthetic leather	Expanded polyvinyl chloride (PVC)	Unstacked
Polyolefin fabric	100% polyolefin	Unstacked
Cotton fabric	100% cotton	Unstacked
Nylon webbing	Nylon weave	Unstacked

Test 6 results

19 November 2020

For Test 6, five materials commonly found in furnishings and exhibits of archives, libraries, and museums, were selected. The materials were provided by the National Park Service, Metropolitan New York Library Council, the Library of Congress and from vendors.

Download Test 6 results

Download Test 6 raw data.

Item	Material	Usage	Result
Glass	Glass	Windows, doors, display cases	Results show that after two days, SARS-CoV-2 virus was not detectable on the brass and marble. After six days, virus was not detected on the glass, laminate, and powder-coated steel.
Marble	Danby marble	Flooring, counters, columns
Laminate	Laminate with particle board backing	Countertops
Brass	260 brass	Fixtures, railings
Powder-coated steel	Powder-coated steel	Lockers, shelving, book trucks, exhibit elements

Test 7 and 8 Results

11 February 2021

These tests compared the effect of colder and warmer temperatures on the attenuation rate of the virus on materials previously tested at ambient room temperatures.

Download Test 7-8 results

Download Test 7 raw data.

Download Test 8 raw data.

Item	Material	Conditions	Result
Hardcover book cover	Buckram cloth	Stacked	Results show that attenuation rates for materials held at the colder temperature were significantly slower compared to the warmer and ambient temperatures.
Softcover book cover	Coated paper	Stacked
Plastic protective cover	Biaxially oriented polyester film	Stacked
Expanded polyethylene foam	1-in. polyethylene foam	Unstacked

CloudLibrary^™ lets libraries build and share ebook and eaudiobook collections and provide library users access to digital magazines, newspapers, comics, graphic novels, and manga.

REALM Project

Research