by Pamela Sorensen
Library Media Specialist
West High School, Manchester

Library patrons, school children, and library staff members all share use of computer keyboards and mice. Think of how many people a day have their hands on the keyboards and mice in your library. Like other shared items such as phones, fax machines, light switches, doorknobs, and ATM machines, computer keyboards are a harbor for germs and bacteria which cause disease.

Librarians should include preventive measures and regular keyboard cleaning as part of their routine to minimize health risks for both library patrons and staff. Using a plastic keyguard prevents small particles from falling into the keyboard and it's easy to clean. For keyboards without keyguards, regular cleaning with compressed air and rubbing alcohol with cotton squares is recommended. Of course, the best preventive measure for everyone is frequent handwashing. If you're not near a sink, consider keeping an alcohol-based hand gel near your desk.