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Preservation Guidelines for Smathers Library and Special Collections Items

This preservation policy is for any employee working in the Smathers Library Building and/or working with special collection items. This will include employees in various branches with small special collections as well as those working in ALF, ILF, and o

Lighting

Use light fixtures that do not cause heat.  LED lighting is better than fluorescent lighting as LEDs do not emit heat, do not produce UV light, nor do they cause IR radiation.  Infra-red (IR radiation) is heat and lights should not noticeably warm the hand.  Fluorescent tubes/bulbs tend to be used due to low cost and there are fluorescent bulbs that do emit a lower amount of UV radiation, but these are usually cost prohibitive.  You can discuss various options with facilities if you are noticing light damage via light fixtures.

See Exhibition section for further information on appropriate lighting and solutions in an exhibit.

Positions of Lights

If possible, keep light fixtures pointed away from collections rather than pointed directly towards collections.  When possible, choose light fixtures that point towards the ceiling.  These will diffuse the light outward and be less damaging to collections.

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