Improving energy efficiency in collection storage in Spencer Research Library, University of Kansas

FAIN: PF-271970-20

University of Kansas Center for Research, Inc. (Lawrence, KS 66045-3101)
Whitney Baker (Project Director: January 2020 to present)

The updating of a 1968 heating and air-conditioning system in Spencer Library to provide a more optimal preservation environment for the university’s collection of rare books and manuscripts, while achieving a significant reduction in overall energy costs for the building.

The University of Kansas Libraries requests funds to implement some of the recommendations provided by environmental consultants who conducted environmental testing on Spencer Library's heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system over 18 months during a 2017-2019 planning grant. In this implementation grant, the second phase of a multi-phased project, the Libraries hope to replace obsolete, 1968-era pneumatically controlled reheats in the ceilings of collection areas of the building with modern electric reheats, variable air volume (VAV) dampers, and new direct digital controls (DDC). At the beginning and end of the project, testing and balancing will be conducted to ensure that the installed equipment is working properly. The new devices will be significantly more energy efficient, individually controllable and serviceable by technicians, and will provide a more optimal preservation environment for Spencer’s collections.

Media Coverage

KU Libraries receive $350,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (Media Coverage)
Publication: KU Today
Date: 10/21/2020
Abstract: Award description and announcement
URL: http://lib.ku.edu/news/neh2020

Associated Products

Blog Post: Improving Energy Efficiency in Collection Storage in Spencer Research Library (Blog Post)
Title: Blog Post: Improving Energy Efficiency in Collection Storage in Spencer Research Library
Author: Baker, Whitney
Abstract: Blog post summarizing the steps in installation of new heaters in the ductwork in collections areas in the Kenneth Spencer Research Library, University of Kansas Libraries.
Date: 02/21/23
Primary URL: https://blogs.lib.ku.edu/spencer/improving-energy-efficiency-in-collection-storage-in-spencer-research-library/
Primary URL Description: Link to the blog post about the NEH-funded project.
Blog Title: Improving Energy Efficiency in Collection Storage in Spencer Research Library
Website: Inside Spencer: The KSRL Blog

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