Plants in libraries

The following discussion took place on Libex-L and is reproduced here
without the knowledge or consent of the authors.

    Date: Fri, 7 May 1993 09:21:23 -0500
    From: Patricia Keats <e7l8kea [at] toe__towson__edu>
    Subject: Conversion of display cases

    Dear Libex-L members:

    This may seem like a strange request, but we have 2 large display
    cases in the main lobby of our library (plus 4 others on 2 other
    floors.) Because we often have trouble keeping them filled, and
    because we want more greenery in our main lobby, we were thinking of
    converting one of our main lobby cases to something like a terrarium
    (i.e. taking out the glass doors, and putting plants in the case
    under the lights.)

    This is an odd request, but is there anyone out there who has
    considered/ researched/ and-or done this type of thing?

    Thanks for your help!

    Pat Keats, Reference Dept.
    Albert S. Cook Library
    Towson State University
    Towson, MD   21204
    (410) 830-2242

    Date: Fri, 7 May 1993 15:35:45 EST
    From: Regina Sinclair <sinclair [at] jhuvm__bitnet>
    Subject: Conversion of display cases.

    This is in response to Patricia Keats' query.  I am sending it to
    the list instead of her directly in the event my response may prove
    of interest to others.  I am a bit alarmed by the reference to
    removing the doors to the display cases before installing plants.
    Any open-walled installation of plants could cause more problems for
    your collections (books) than I care to contem- plate:  attracting
    insects and effects on humidity are two that immediately come to
    mind.  I admit I have seen live plants in libraries.  My guess is
    that the list of reasons for not having them far out-weighs the ones
    for having them.  Of course, if you are truly talking about a
    terrarium, which is all enclosed, that is acceptable.

    Regina Sinclair
    Head, Preservation Department
    Johns Hopkins University

    Date: Fri, 7 May 1993 15:05:10 CST
    From: Dean DeBolt <ddebolt [at] uwf__bitnet>
    Subject: Re: Conversion of display cases.

    I must admit that when I first read the inquiry I was both amused
    and alarmed. I, too, have exhibit cases to cover on three floors of
    the Library and coming up with ideas, with the time to do justice
    for exhibits, the mounting, etc... is a problem.  Some exhibits stay
    up a LONG time; so the terrarium idea was kind of cute.

    But I agree that IF this is a closed terrarium, that's okay...if it
    is an open nursery, then my answer is NO.  Such a situation will
    create an excellent "miniature jungle" for all kinds of bugs, lice,
    etc.  Our Director used to bring in a small tree/shrub once in a
    while....it did not survive for long periods under our indirect
    fluorescents...that stopped when we began finding crickets,
    chameleons, and other animals that came in with it. Dean DeBolt,
    University of West Florida

    Date: Tue, 11 May 1993 15:52:55 -0500
    From: Patricia Keats <e7l8kea [at] toe__towson__edu>
    Subject: Re: Conversion of display cases.

    Our reaction at first was one of alarm - and sort of disbelief - The
    outer lobby is, in fact pretty much sealed off by sets of glass
    doors from the rest of the library.  My first reaction was one of -
    why is this necessary ?  The new director just does not like display
    cases and feels them old fashioned.  This was one reason I put this
    query on the list serv - to get reactions and perhaps to squelch any
    further interest in doing this.

    As of now, it looks like we will not be converting the case -
    various depts. on campus are using one of the cases per month to
    display or highlight work from the dept.

    Thank you for you input anyway.  It was my initial reaction as well.

    Patricia Keats
    Towson State - Reference Dept.

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                  Conservation DistList Instance 6:64
                  Distributed: Saturday, May 29, 1993
                        Message Id: cdl-6-64-005
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