Russ,
Our goal for both the Technical Library and the Visual Information (Graphics) Shop is to maintain a 72 degree, no more than 55% humidity level in all areas.
Those numbers don’t come from any instruction but from my experience managing commercial print shops.
Achieving those numbers are difficult given, as Larry mentions, older HVAC systems in most of our buildings.
We run dehumidifiers in areas that are the worst and either empty them daily or pump them outside.
---jon
From: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]> On Behalf Of Larry Clemens
Sent: Thursday, September 3, 2020 9:51 AM
To: Girsberger, Russ D CIV USN CENSERVSUPP (USA) <[log in to unmask]>
Cc: [log in to unmask]; Army Library Program Discussion List <[log in to unmask]>; [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Temperature / Humidity guidelines for federal libraries
Russ,
I am not sure there is any Navy instruction or DOD instruction on the issue. Our library houses a branch of the National Archives and there are regulations about storing items produced by the National Archives that address temperature and humidity. Of course this does not mean USNA Public Works follows those regulations. But then again, our HVAC system was designed in 1970 and installed in 1973 before energy conservation was a consideration and we have many issues with that aging infrastructure at this time.
L. Clemens
On Thu, Sep 3, 2020 at 5:57 AM Girsberger, Russ D CIV USN CENSERVSUPP (USA) <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
Good morning, everyone,
We are having difficulty convincing our base facilities people that high humidity is bad for libraries.
Our temps and humidity are barely below the allowable limits for buildings on our base, so they are not concerned about long-term issues from these levels.
Is there a federal directive or other guidance that your libraries use that shows allowable levels for humans are not necessarily good for paper?
Thank you very much for your advice.
Russ
Russ Girsberger
Naval School of Music Library
1420 Gator Blvd.
Virginia Beach, VA 23459-2617
phone: 757-462-5734
fax: 757-462-7294
DSN 253-5734
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Lawrence E. Clemens
Dean for Information Services and Director of Nimitz Library
U.S. Naval Academy
589 McNair Rd.
Annapolis, MD 21402-5029
410-293-6902
Ex Scientia Tridens