Goal
LPC’s goal for the 2026 Library Publishing Forum is to encourage the safest possible in-person conference environment through careful planning and mutual care.
Although public concern has waned, COVID-19 is still a serious health risk. Even otherwise healthy individuals are at risk for complications and for long COVID, and those risks increase with repeated infections. For individuals with weakened immune systems or other vulnerabilities, the risks are heightened significantly.
We acknowledge that an in-person event will inevitably carry a higher level of risk than a virtual one, and that even the most careful precautions may not reduce the risk enough for some community members to attend safely. For that and other reasons, we will continue to alternate in-person events with fully virtual ones.
Planning
Our planning team is working to create the safest possible conference environment through attention to the following areas:
Ventilation and air filtration
The University of Washington Husky Union Building (HUB), renovated by Perkins+Will and completed around 2012–2013, is a 250,000-square-foot, LEED Gold-certified facility focused on sustainability, transparency, and community. Key features include a central, three-level atrium that promotes natural airflow and open gathering spaces. The renovated building utilizes a combination of natural and mechanical ventilation systems to improve indoor air quality. In addition, the planning team are working to provide extra air cleaning/filtration systems for the Forum rooms, including Corsi-Rosenthal boxes and possibly far-UVC lights.
Cleaning
The HUB follows Communicable Disease Cleaning and Disinfection Protocols and uses peroxide-based EPA-registered disinfectants. Its daytime custodial team focuses on high-touch surfaces (door knobs/handles, light switches, counter tops, stair handrails, banisters, and elevator controls). The evening custodial team conducts a building-wide clean each night.
Spaces within the venue
Because we are planning for a lower number of attendees than the space typically accommodates, we can have fewer tables and will have them spread out. Boxed lunches will be provided on both days, so attendees can choose to take their lunch elsewhere. Because meals will take place in the same location as the main conference session, risk of transmission will be heightened at sessions immediately following meal and snack times.
Provision of masks and tests
We will provide masks and rapid COVID self-tests for all attendees.
Reliable information and clear communication
We encourage attendees and potential attendees to reach out to us with questions and concerns by emailing contact@librarypublishing.org
Mutual care
Mutual care will help provide a safer conference environment. Below, we have laid out a number of strategies for mutual care and we encourage attendees to utilize as many of them as possible. We aren’t mandating particular strategies across the board, because there will be community members for whom any particular intervention isn’t possible (e.g., individuals who cannot be vaccinated or who cannot wear a mask for an extended period of time). However, attendees are encouraged to do as many of these things as they are able and to do their best to care for their fellow conference-goers. Individuals are expected to isolate from other attendees if they are sick.
Vaccination
We will strongly encourage all attendees to receive up-to-date vaccines against COVID at least two weeks prior to the event. The American Academy of Family Physicians recommends all adults have a COVID vaccine during 2025–26 (at the time this policy was written).
Masking
We strongly encourage attendees to wear masks whenever possible. We will make medical-grade masks (KN95 or similar) available throughout the event, and we encourage all attendees who are able to wear them whenever they aren’t eating or drinking.
The venue is part of the UW campus, and it will include staff, attendees of other events, and potentially members of the public who may or may not be masked.
Testing
Rapid COVID self-tests are reliable indicators of contagion if the tests are taken properly. To accurately test, swab both nostrils, the back of one’s throat, and the sides of one’s mouth AND do not drink, eat, or blow one’s nose before testing. If it’s positive, you have COVID. There is a 50% chance of false negatives for asymptomatic people, however, so if you think you have been exposed, please take precautions.(1) We will make tests available and encourage all attendees to test each morning before coming to the venue. Further information will be posted and/or sent to attendees when available.
Isolating
Individuals who test positive or who are experiencing any symptoms of COVID are expected to isolate from other attendees. This means not attending conference sessions in person, and not gathering for social events with other attendees during the conference.
Policy updates
This policy was first designed based on conditions during early 2024 prior to the Minneapolis-based Forum and has been updated in early 2026. We are posting it in advance of the conference so that attendees can make an informed decision about their attendance, and we won’t make changes to it lightly. However, this policy is subject to change based on national trends and/or in accordance with reliable updates to guidelines and regulations. We will notify attendees of any changes as soon as possible.
Contact
Questions about this policy? Please email contact@librarypublishing.org.
(1)Viloria Winnett A, Stenzel T, Ismagilov RF. Validating Combination Throat-Nasal Swab Specimens for COVID-19 Tests Would Improve Early Detection, Especially for the Most Vulnerable. Clin Infect Dis. 2024 Oct 15;79(4):815-818. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciae381. PMID: 39041943; PMCID: PMC11478585.