HVAC systems should be regularly maintained with filters regularly replaced. Employees who have responsibility over the building and/or storage areas overall should learn from facilities where their HVAC systems are and what part of the building each HVAC system supports. If their libraries start feeling hot or humid, contact facilities and preservation immediately.
Knowing when filters should be replaced is also important for building staff. If an employee notices that there is more dust accumulation in their library or anything else similar, they should contact facilities to get their filters checked and replaced.
It is important to place stacks/shelving units in the area of the room that receives the most air circulation. In the event of a renovation and/or construction, discuss with facilities and preservation how the airflow works in the library to determine the best placement of collection items.
See the section in The Building Environment: Integrated Pest Management on Construction/Building Renovation and Repair for more information.
HVAC systems should not be turned off during holiday breaks or anything similar. Contact your building facilities if you think this is happening.
Avoid carpet in areas with stacks or collection items when possible. Carpets can be problematic on several levels namely:
Hard flooring is appropriate if it is well maintained and installed correctly. Various adhesives for installation require anywhere from two weeks to two months of curing before collection items are included in the room. Remember that wood needs to be heat treated and off gassing diminished via appropriate sealants. Epoxy and cement floors also need curing time. Contact facilities and/or construction companies for flooring data.
Floors should be regularly cleaned using cleaning supplies with low volatile organic compounds. Facility cleaning staff need training on being careful in terms of splashing books with mops or other cleaning materials along the bottom of the shelving. Vacuums with good filtration and suction are a great way to maintain the cleanliness of floors in between wet cleaning.
If carpet is installed, regular deep cleaning of the carpet should include extra de-humidifiers and extra fans and circulation systems in place until the carpets are bone dry.
When possible, place stacks perpendicular to windows rather than parallel to windows as direct light from a window will cause more damage when directly facing each other. If you have surrounding windows, determine stack placement by a N/W/S/E direction (North facing is safest).
UV filters can also be placed on windows. Remember that UV filters have a shelf life and should be regularly replaced per the manufacturer's instructions.
Windows should have shades when light and heat are coming through. Employees should regularly check that these shades are down during the times when the sun is shining directly into them. UV-filtered window films do not protect against IR radiation. If the problem with the window is excessive heat, shades will help with the problem, UV-filtering will not.
While fluorescent bulbs directly overhead are the standard in circulating collections, there might be select areas where you will want safer lighting options for your collections. In these instances, opt for LED over fluorescent bulbs. Also, choose light fixtures that direct the light upward to the ceiling. These will diffuse the light and scatter light over a wider area, causing less direct damage to collection items.
See more information on lighting and windows in the section the Building Environment: Integrated Pest Management.
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