Universidad del Sagrado Corazón - Hurricane Relief Project for Humanities Collections

FAIN: PB-260590-18

Universidad del Sagrado Corazon, Inc. (San Juan, PR 00914-0000)
Maria Teresa Martinez-Diez (Project Director: October 2017 to June 2019)

The cleaning and disinfecting of the university’s air conditioning system; the treatment of books, art works, and other affected collection items; and the purchase of dehumidifiers, cleaning and packing supplies, and personal protective equipment.

Puerto Rico was greatly impacted by hurricanes Irma and Maria in September 2017; it is still struggling to restore basic services such as electricity, water, and communications.  At the Universidad del Sagrado Corazon, the lack of electric power (for more than a month), high humidity, and poor air circulation have affected the library’s Puerto Rican Collection and air conditioning system, the campus radio station facilities, and the University Art Gallery (offices, exhibition space, and storage area).  This award would provide humanities spaces and collections with professional services for cleaning mold and other contaminants, disinfection of books and materials, and air conditioning repair.  It would also provide professional mold-cleaning supplies, packaging and personal protection supplies, and dehumidifiers.