Please excuse the cross-posting.
As some of you know, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is
building a new archives/library/preservation building. We want to build our
"vaults" to the highest standard possible. We are currently working under the
idea that we will have an area with -4 degree F cold storage for our most
valuable items (see
http://www.wilhelm-research.com/).
However, our building engineers are concerned with problems of maintaining
proper humidity levels, keeping frost out, etc.
As we've consulted with other archives who have cold storage, their
building engineers have expressed concern with our desire to have -4 degree
storage and this has "frightened" our own building engineers. Of course, none
of these individuals have any cold storage less than 25 degrees and they have
not dealt with anything colder. So I have 3 requests:
First: I want to know (from a conservator's or preservation
administrator's point of view) how the physical rules change once
you drop below 0 degrees.
Second: As most of the facilities we've talked to are also in more humid
areas, I also want to know how the physical rules change in a dry climate like
Utah.
Third: If those of you who deal with cold storage (35 degrees F and
lower) on a regular basis, could make general comments on problems and
solutions you've experienced, it would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Christopher McAfee
Christopher McAfee
Senior Conservator
Family and Church History
Department
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
50 E. North
Temple St. Rm. 227E
Salt Lake City, UT 84150-3420
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