Archival Environmental Monitoring for the James A. Michener Library

FAIN: PG-51186-11

University of Northern Colorado (Greeley, CO 80639-6900)
Jay Trask (Project Director: May 2010 to October 2012)

The purchase of environmental monitoring equipment to better preserve the James A. Michener Library's collection of rare books, university archives, and literary manuscripts, including the James A. Michener collection consisting of 1,000 linear feet of publications, research and field notes, manuscripts, correspondence, maps, photographs, and artifacts collected by the novelist.

The grant would support the beginnings of an environmental monitoring program at the University of Northern Colorado James A. Michener Library focusing on monitoring the storage and display spaces maintained by the Archival Services Department (ASD). The grant would allow for the purchase of ten Image Permanence Institute (IPI) PEM2 temperature and humidity monitors, which would be mounted in the appropriate locations that contained archival materials throughout the library. The equipment will allow for detailed monitoring of the environmental conditions within the building. The data gathered by the ASD faculty and staff will help determine the best course of action needed to improve the environmental conditions within the library and encourage the long-term preservation of invaluable archival and artifact collections.