----------(1)
Date: Thu, 1 Nov 2001 14:25:01 -0500
From: Lynne Stevens <lstevens@RMWC.EDU>
Subject: Re: Mail handling in serials (Scott Wicks)

Hey, Scott --

It would be helpful if we knew which publishers do this.  Which one(s) do
you know about?

Lynne N. Stevens
Serials Coordinator
Lipscomb Library
Randolph-Macon Woman's College
2500 Rivermont Avenue
Lynchburg, VA  24503
434 947-8133
434 947-8134 FAX
lstevens@rmwc.edu

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Thu, 1 Nov 2001 11:31:04 -0500
From: Scott Wicks <sbw2@CORNELL.EDU>
Subject: Re: Mail handling in serials

Like many others, Cornell has issued guidelines for mail handling.  We have
made gloves available to staff and discussed the steps to take when
encountering suspect mail.

Yesterday we had an incident with something called "press powder."  At
least one publisher (and I'm sure there are others, too) uses this powder
to prevent pages from sticking together and the wrapper from adhering to
the cover while in transit.  Usually the amount is so minimal that one does
not see it.  Yesterday we SAW it and had a nice test run of our "what to
do" procedures.

I thought that you might like to be aware of this powder, not that you
shouldn't take every precaution, but to consider this factor for your local
"Health Safety" crisis responders to investigate while you all sit around
in quarantine wondering why you didn't think ahead to be sure you had food
at your desk to endure just such an event.

When we contacted the publisher, we learned that they had received similar
queries over the past several weeks.  Maybe they will change their policy.

--Scott

----------(2)
Date: Fri, 2 Nov 2001 08:48:03 -0500
From: Maggie Rioux <mrioux@WHOI.EDU>
Subject: Re: Mail handling in serials

One more thought on the mail handling thread -
I noticed several postings saying that libraries were using latex
gloves. If at all possible you should be getting nitrile gloves, NOT
latex. Many people are allergic to latex and it's also very easy to
develop an allergy. Some folks are so allergic that they could have a
life-threatening reaction to receiving mail that someone else had
touched while wearing latex gloves. Nitrile gloves are about the same
cost and they won't potentially endanger any of your staff (especially
the people wearing them). Most EMS systems have switched to nitrile (and
they come in pretty colors too, like purple and blue).
 Also - if folks are using gloves they should be shown how to remove by
turning them inside out and should be told that any time they have felt
they should use gloves that when they remove them, they should also wash
their hands thoroughly with soap and hot water.
 And don't forget to have ziplock bags handy for the suspicious stuff
that made you put the gloves on in the first place.
  I didn't know that EMT training was going to be so useful...
Maggie Rioux
--
****************************************************************
* Maggie Rioux                   | Email: mrioux@whoi.edu      *
* Information Systems Librarian  | Voice: 508/289-2538         *
* MBL/WHOI Library               | Fax:   508/457-2156         *
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President of North American Serials Interest Group (NASIG)
      - "a group of smart people of good will"