NEH Chairman's Emergency Grant for Universidad Metropolitana

FAIN: PB-260726-18

Universidad Metropolitana (San Juan, PR 00928-1150)
Juan Gaston (Project Director: November 2017 to August 2019)

The cleaning of the library collection; conservation treatment of selected items; and the acquisition of new storage furniture, dehumidifiers, and environmental monitors.

Damage to the library’s roof during Hurricane Maria caused flooding that affected books, official records, and art pieces.  Moreover, the loss of electrical power compromised the library’s climate control system.  High humidity has caused mold to spread to books, storage boxes, and artworks. The university plans to disinfect the entire collection and move it to new storage containers to prevent additional damage.