Library architecture

The Missouri Botanical Garden is about to undertake the building of a
new Research Center, read herbarium and library.  As the plans now read
the library is on the top floor (the 4th).  The architects latest idea
is to have a light monitor that runs the down center of the library its
entire length, approximately 300 ft..  What the light monitor looks like
is a row of clerestory windows without any wall, just continuous glass
with roof.

                  /\
      roof      /    \
                I    I  light monitor
               /      \
      roof    /        \

The roof over the light monitor will be arched  Has anyone had any
experience with this type of window leaking?  Or anything that sounds
similar leaking?  My colleagues and I are concerned since this will be
running over the top of the Rare Book Room and the Special Collections
area, not to mention the reading room.  Every skylight or vertical glass
in a ceiling I've run into has leaked, but I haven't seen them all, as
some of the staff is more that willing to point out! My other concern
with the plans is that suddenly the stack area has gone from being a
"black box" to having windows.  I know this is a bad thing but the
question I've been asked is "Won't putting the books in compact shelving
keep them dark enough?"  I haven't had any experience with compact
shelving and would appreciate any help you all can give in answering it.
The answer I'd like is No!, but if it's yes, it's yes.

Vicki Lee
Library Conservator
Missouri Botanical Garden Library
P.O.Box 299
St. Louis, MO 63166
(314) 577-5100 x.245

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                  Conservation DistList Instance 7:61
                 Distributed: Sunday, February 20, 1994
                        Message Id: cdl-7-61-006
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