Another possibility is to elevate the book
drop box off the cooler ground. The metal floor would be an ideal condensing
surface. The plenum air space of a few inches will also enhance circulation.
Gary
From: Valinda.Carroll@xxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:Valinda.Carroll@xxxxxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Tuesday, July 10, 2007 4:40
PM
To: padg@xxxxxxx
Subject: RE: [padg] humidity in
book returns
Hi Patricia,
Our temperature is moderated by the breeze
off of the bay and the river, but we make up for it by having higher humidity
than Richmond.
I generally try to avoid anything involving the bookdrop, because it can be
destructive in many ways. Ours is connected to a closet on an exterior
wall of the 24-hour study room, so it gets some AC. I imagine that
moisture is condensing in ours whenever the door is opened, because the HVAC in
our building doesn’t dehumidify (and I have measured 70% RH in another
part of the building). The relative humidity might be lower in the
freestanding kind, since the temperature is higher. That can’t be
reassuring, though.
I think Peter is right to suggest sticking
a datalogger in there to gather hard statistics. Unfortunately, silica gel
won’t last long with constant exposure to the outdoors. Outdoor
bookdrops are just bad news. Is there another book drop connected to a
climate-controlled area of the building? If you can’t eliminate the bookdrop
altogether, you might be able to get it installed in a better place. Could you
put one inside the Commons or some other building that is open all night? I
realize that it would mean transporting books outdoors, but the duration of
exposure would be brief compared to what you have now. People might even view
it as a public service if indoor book drops are added to places that are open
when the library is closed.
I wish there were a magic dehumidifying
bullet. It would be great for all of those summer power outages. Aaah, an
off-the-grid dehumidifier that drains to the landscape drip irrigation
system...
Valinda Carroll
Preservation Manager
Harvey Library
Hampton University
From: Patricia E. Selinger [mailto:patricia.selinger@xxxxxxx]
Sent: Tuesday, July 10, 2007 10:06
AM
To: PADG
Subject: [padg] humidity in book
returns
Hello everyone,
I received this request this morning and would like to know if you have any
solutions. Do you think silica gel would work? The problem, of
course, is that the book return is opened periodically and reintroduces more
humidity. Obviously we are in the dog days of summer here.
I appreciate your suggestions.
Patricia
-------- Original Message --------
Request for JBC Facilities Services
Priority: urgent
Location: 1st floor; exterior book return
Details: A unique
problem has arisen in the last few days due to the high heat and humidity we
are currently experiencing. The humidity is extremely high inside the exterior
book return bin. I have noticed that the covers of paperback books are curling
and I fear that our materials will suffer damage as a result of prolonged
(overnight) exposure to such conditions. Please get us something we can keep in
the bin to absorb the excess humidity. Thank you
--
Patricia Palmer Selinger
Head, Preservation Department
Virginia Commonwealth University Libraries
Box 842033
Richmond, VA 23284-20233
phone: 804.828.8679 (*NEW)
fax: 804.828.0151
patricia.selinger@xxxxxxx