My initial reaction was to question why anyone would think to do so. Even if one didn't know about the metal security tabs, a plastic dust jacket is likely to melt. People really don't use their brains!

Good one, Annie! Gives new meaning to "cooking the books."

I understand the sentiment. Much easier to put it away in a closet or garage for a few days to "marinate"

Believing that microwaves don't heat throughout at the sane (I planned to write "saMe", all small letters) level, I wouldn't plan to try to sanitize a bulky item in one.

London recently reconfigured downtown street to multi-purpose use, following reopening I got a ticket for improper parking, limited time to pay to avoid surcharge. Disputed: no "No parking" signs, some reduction granted, plus extended time. Later email claimed surcharge due to missed deadline.

Wrote a cheque for smaller amount, explanatory letter, in addressed envelope, heated in oven at 150 for 45 min., 200 for 15 min., had been so noted on back of envelope, removed by cleaned cutlery, stored in year old store flyer long unopened, then into brief case, dropped into mailbox of closed traffic office.

Cheque for church to keep them operational done at same time - it got lost, so need to replace.

Washed several hundred Canadian currency 24 hours soapy water, occasionally rubbed, plus quantity of change, early in the lockdown - only did that once: currency accepted everywhere now, no problem.

Does that get me involved in money laundering? Of hot money, yet?

I like your "cooking the books" comment, Annie and moxie!

ole joyful

Both, ole joyful! Tsk, Tsk!!!

We bought one of those Phone Soap UV cleaners for phones and small objects. I've also ordered one of their room filters.

Elmer, that's just what my sister in Germany is doing with almost all her purchases... put them in the storage container... and after a week or so, they go in their usual pantry. :)

Moni

To be fair, some people likely aren't even aware that there might be metal in a library book - and if you can microwave plastic film on a frozen dinner, why not on a book?

FWIW, I have been wiping down library books with 70% isopropyl alcohol on a paper towel for many years, but haven't gotten any since shutdown, since the libraries all closed. I also did that with the used books I used to buy regularly, also no more since shutdowns. I'd go over the covers and edges of pages, but not each page inside.

I'm reading ebooks only now - on my phone - which I clean with alcohol regularly😉

i came across a note that my grandfather wrote to his wife and children, vacationing in the north woods while he worked during the week, about 1935. He explains that he was on his way to the post office to mail a letter to them, when he dropped it, and it fell in a little puddle. So he went back in the house to dry it off. He held it over the flame on the stove. Oops. The note is wrapped around another note, which has a small hole and singe on it.

Imagine opening that letter!

Later letters from grandfather, and then from the boys when they were old enough to stay home with a sitter, or alone, always have reassurances to Grandmother that the doors are locked and checked every night, and every morning when they go out, how the laundry is doing, if they are checking to turn off water faucets, where is the dog, etc.

I’m sure that first letter made Grandmother dubious about her family’s trustworthiness forever after! (And she never did have a microwave.)

"Elmer, that's just what my sister in Germany is doing with almost all her purchases... put them in the storage container..."

I do the same with non-perishable grocery items that are delivered, and also with packages and mail. Not for a week, but two or three days. Things needed sooner are opened from their original packaging and dumped into something else, the packaging then discarded.

Perishable things and produce get wiped or dunked (if airtight packaging) using a mild bleach solution then rinsed.

Is it necessary? Probably not, but it's not inconvenient and provides a little risk protection.

" ... and if you can microwave plastic film on a frozen dinner ... "

If I heat a Hungry Man TV dinner that contains a brownie, I always cover the brownie with a small square (about 2.75" square) of foil so it doesn't dry out while the rest of the dinner is heating.

Maybe with the dinner, even with the much bigger piece of metal, there's still sufficient water to absorb the energy but with a dry book, there's not?

A library should be quarantining books 3 days anyway.

https://www.dispatch.com/news/20200623/rsquofake-spitrsquo-tests-show-library-materials-free-of-coronavirus-after-3-days

ETA...

" ... However, small pieces of aluminum foil can be used to "shield" areas
of foods, such as poultry drumsticks and wings, to prevent overcooking. ... "

( https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/connect/fsis-content/internet/main/topics/food-safety-education/get-answers/food-safety-fact-sheets/appliances-and-thermometers/microwave-ovens-and-food-safety/ct_index#12 )

My goodness, I've never thought of microwaving a book, library or not. Dafuq.

My old microwave would have sparks if even a staple was left in something. I can not imagine using a piece a larger piece.

I have to admit I used to read while I walked. This was pre-microwave and probably would have tried to dry them the couple of times they were dropped onto a wet surface.

Well, I do recall a discussion somewhere around this site about microwaving mail...

And don't try to microwave your gloves like I did back in March

I don't like microwaving food in plastic containers, in case human-unfriendly chemical(s) in the plastic may get transferred into the food that I'll be sending down red lane into my tummy.

ole joyful

I do soak and microwave my kitchen sponge for a minute to kill bacteria. It soaps up and steams in the mw and makes the interior of the mw easy to clean too. Just be very careful handling it after as it is HOT. I use tongs.

But I'd never put metal into a mw. I accidentally put a dish of water in the mw not realizing it was lead crystal. It sparked and smoked and killed the mw....

...and that is why I prefer e-books.

I haven't taken out a library book in a lot of years. I used to wipe down the plastic cover with a Clorox wipe and stand on end to dry.

I do not isolate my grocery purchases. I figure they are going to sit in the cabinet for days or weeks before they are used anyway, so they will be fine. I am constantly washing my hands anyway.

Our libraries just opened up, filling thousands of orders of books. They're opened for pick up only, not to go inside.

They also made a point of mentioning not to microwave the books :-)

They have a storage container where the books are locked up for a two week quarantine.

Lol, microwaving books?