Methodologies for Sustainable HVAC Operation in Collection Environments

FAIN: PR-50087-10

RIT (Rochester, NY 14623-5698)
Jean-Louis Bigourdan (Project Director: August 2009 to April 2017)

Investigation of the impact on paper-based collections of short-term fluctuations in environmental conditions resulting from the dynamic management, through temporary setbacks and shutoffs, of climate control systems. A guide would be published to help cultural institutions design and evaluate sustainable approaches to managing collection environments that achieve energy savings and long-term preservation of humanities collections.

"Methodologies for Sustainable HVAC Operation in Collection Environments" is a research project designed to allow staff of libraries and archives with significant humanities collections to confidently evaluate protocols for energy saving and sustainability, and to balance stewardship with fiscal realities and global responsibility. Since little research has been done on the impact of short-term fluctuations in temperature and humidity("setbacks" during unoccupied nights and weekends), neither facilities managers nor collection care specialists know how to evaluate their effect on collection preservation. Through a combination of laboratory research, field investigation, data modeling, and the creation of a user-friendly field guide-style publication, this project will provide the field with reliable data and a usable method for monitoring room environments and estimating the impact of short-term fluctuations on long-term preservation.