A procedure for identifying chemical and biological risks for books in historic libraries based on microclimate analysis

doi:10.1016/j.culher.2018.10.005

Journal of Cultural Heritage

Volume 37, May–June 2019, Pages 155-165

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.culher.2018.10.005 Get rights and content

Highlights

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The proposed procedure evaluates risks for books in historic libraries.
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Monitoring campaigns and handy indices were applied to evaluate risky situations.
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Risks are related to hygrothermal values that cause biological and chemical damage.
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The procedure is applied on the Baroque Library of the University of Coimbra.
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For the case study, solutions are identified to improve book preservation.

Abstract

The study presents a new procedure for identifying possible risks for books kept in historic libraries. It is addressed to all those historic libraries where large collections of old and rare books are stored and preserved. These libraries were rarely used by people, but, nowadays, many of them have become touristic attractions. Consequently, their indoor microclimate may have changed, possibly leading to risks for books conservation. The proposed methodology is based on an intensive monitoring campaign, followed by an in-depth data analysis. Handy indices are also proposed to guide the researchers in the identification of possible risks. Problems related to too-high daily or spatial hygrothermal variations or problems related to specific risks (e.g., biological or chemical risks) can be identified. If a problem is observed, the identification of the most suitable solutions is more straightforward. The application of the proposed procedure to a real case study (the Baroque Library of the University of Coimbra, Portugal) has highlighted its handiness. A 6-month monitoring campaign and its consequent data analysis has pointed out potentially risky situations. Thus, measures should be taken to avoid books damage. Primarily, local actions are suggested.

Introduction

The concern with indoor environmental conditions in libraries is relatively recent. The initial studies about the indoor environmental quality in libraries were related particularly to human health problems, trying to associate some parameters (e.g., indoor air temperature and/or relative humidity, dust, CO₂ concentration levels, VOCs, particulate matter) to symptoms and health issues such as the sick buildings syndrome [[1], [2], [3]].

Later on, attention was driven towards the conservation of books. Many researches focus on the relation between microclimate parameters – mostly temperature (T) and relative humidity (RH) – and conservation problems of books [[4], [5], [6]]. In some cases, the issue of books preservation is coupled with multi-objective problems: for example, in [7], the authors study a demand controlled ventilation system to improve energy efficiency in a library, while maintaining suitable microclimate for the library collection conservation.

Among the various types of libraries, in historic libraries, the conservation of books represents a particular challenge. In the European context, many historic libraries are hosted in old and protected buildings, housing rare manuscripts, ancient books and special collections [[8], [9], [10]]. In that sense, these libraries cannot be considered as museums with books, as the books are often stored and available to users only with special permissions, not to hamper their preservation. This is the main difference between a museum and a historic library: a museum is a place where artworks are exposed to be visible and appreciated for users, whereas a historic library is a place where books are stored to be preserved. It is also true that many of these libraries are touristic attractions, mainly for their architecture features or historic importance, but, as these buildings often store unique copies of old books, their preservation is important and prevails over other parameters in multi-objective analysis (e.g., visitors’ comfort).

Case studies of monitoring campaigns and microclimate analysis of some historic libraries in Europe can be found in literature: Fabbri and Petrelli [11] report the results of a monitoring campaign of the Malatestiana Library, a historic library in Cesena, Italy, storing more than 300 manuscripts written in the 15th century, provided of no HVAC system. The results of the 3-month monitoring campaign showed that there were no risks for the books, because of the perfect indoor conditions ensured by the envelope. In [5], Andretta et al. compare indoor microclimate with reference set points suggested by technical standards UNI 10829 and UNI 10586 to verify the current conditions of the books collections in the Classense Library in Ravenna, Italy. The campaign highlighted possible risks in some halls of the library due to too-high RH and too-high/too-low T, depending on the season: this is caused by the absence of a HVAC system. Sahin [6] presented the results of a monitoring campaign in Tire Necip Pasa Library, in Turkey. In this case, the manuscripts were found to undergo degradation due to high temperatures occurring during summer. Many researches are instead focused on the treatment methods after occurred damage (see, for example, [12]).

Literature reports some methodologies for the improvement of the conservation conditions for artworks and cultural heritage, which often allow also a higher energy efficiency and a better human comfort for visitors: see, for example, [13,14]. In that sense, the two currently-used methodologies (fully described in the following sections) examine only some aspects of the artworks conservation problem and often consider also visitors’ comfort (for a better experience of the museums) and energy efficiency. However, these methodologies may not fit well to historic libraries, as they are specific for museums. The two environments can be different, as books in historic libraries are rarely opened and accessible to the public and are often stored in almost stagnant air in bookcases. As previously mentioned, the main aim of historic libraries is the preservation of old and rare books, so the definition of a specific procedure for their preservation in these environments, now missing in literature, is important. It can be particularly important considering the large number of historic libraries, widespread especially in Europe and Asia.

In this framework, a comprehensive new methodology aiming at identifying possible risks for books housed in historic libraries, based on microclimate data analysis, is presented. Besides, the procedure, through the evaluation of simple indices, considers the effects of spatial or temporal spans and the risks associated to biological and/or chemical degradation. Its application helps in the identification of the most suitable actions for the reduction of risks. In Section 3, the procedure is experimentally applied using the monitoring data of the Baroque Library of the University of Coimbra (Portugal), with records from December 2016 to July 2017.

Section snippets

Methodology

Scientific literature reports several methods for the study of risks for books: for example, culture-dependent analyses for the study of the airborne microorganisms and possible biological risks or infrared spectroscopy for chemical degradation. However, even though very precise, many of these methods identify risks only on the books that undergo a higher level of examination, which might not be suitable for large collections of historical books [15]. In this scenario, the suitability of

Object of study

The Baroque Library of the University of Coimbra (UC) is located in the “heart” of the historic centre of the University, the courtyard of the Palace of Schools (Fig. 4). The origins of this library go back to the 18th century, when, in 1716, the rector of the University, Nuno Silva Teles, asked the Crown to build a library that would serve the institution. D. João V, then King of Portugal, accepted the request, and ordered by royal decree on October 31st of that year, the construction of the

Conclusions

This work presented a comprehensive procedure for the identification of possible risks for books conservation in historic libraries, also pointing out which can be the best solutions to avoid damage. This new procedure is based on a detailed microclimate analysis and evaluation of several risk assessment indicators, which guide the researchers on the identification of the most serious criticalities. The use of a spatially distributed monitoring campaign allows the analysis of large collections

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to the Rectorate of the University of Coimbra and to the General Library of the University for having promoted and facilitated this work. The presented work is framed under the Energy for Sustainability Initiative of the University of Coimbra and UC Project SUSpENsE – Sustainable built Environment under Natural Hazards and Extreme Events.

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Citation Excerpt :
The data shown in this article are related to the research article “A procedure for identifying chemical and biological risks for books in historic libraries based on microclimate analysis” [1].
The correct preservation of old and rare books in libraries needs suitable values of temperature and relative humidity. This paper shows the hygrothermal data acquired in a historic library, the Baroque Library, of the University of Coimbra, Portugal, where several old and rare books are stored. The data were acquired during a 6-month monitoring campaign. In particular, in this paper the spatial and temporal variations of these two parameters are analysed. The data presented in the article are related to the research article entitled “A procedure for identifying chemical and biological risks for books in historic libraries based on microclimate analysis” [1].

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Original articleA procedure for identifying chemical and biological risks for books in historic libraries based on microclimate analysis

Highlights

Abstract

Introduction

Section snippets

Methodology

Object of study

Conclusions

Acknowledgments

Sci. Total Environ.

Sci. Total Environ.

J. Cult. Herit.

Case Study: Tire Necip Paşa Library, İzmir-Turkey, Sustain. Cities Soc.

Energy.

Energy Build.

J. Cult. Herit.

J. Cult. Herit.

J. Cult. Herit.

J. Cult. Herit.

Sci. Total Environ.

Microchem. J.

Build. Environ.

Int. Biodeterior. Biodegradation.

Int. Biodeterior. Biodegradation.

Energy Build.

Build. Environ.

Exp. Therm. Fluid Sci.

Investigation on indoor air quality in university libraries in Xi’an

4th Int. Conf. Bioinforma. Biomed. Eng.

ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers), Museums, Galleries, Archives and Libraries. In: ASHRAE Handbook, Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning Applications

Original article
A procedure for identifying chemical and biological risks for books in historic libraries based on microclimate analysis