IPI’s Guide to Sustainable Preservation Practices for Managing Storage Environments

The goal is an optimal preservation environment—one that achieves the best possible preservation of collections with the least possible consumption of energy, and is sustainable over time. This guide is designed to help institutions maintain the best climate for preservation with the least consumption of energy. Funding provided by the National Endowment for the Humanities, Division of Preservation and Access, Education & Training Grant Program.

This guidebook is divided into four primary sections:

• Section One focuses on what you need to know about the environment, its effect on material decay and the primary factors that shape the storage environment. Use this section as an introduction or a refresher course depending on your background.
• Section Two details what you need to do to accurately document both the storage environment and associated climate control systems and how to use this knowledge to effectively analyze risk and improve preservation quality.
• Section Three was designed to guide and focus environmental management activities and highlight opportunities for energy savings and sustainable practices.
• Section Four includes additional guidance and information for your use.

Chapter Titles:

• The Basic Elements of the Environment and Their Effect on Material Decay
• The Factors that Shape the Storage Environment
• Document the Current Storage Environment
• Document Each Storage Facility’s Mechanical System
• Understand the Role of Dew Point
• Analyze Collected Data
• Create an Environmental Management Team
• Specific Activities of the Environmental Management Team
• Investigate Opportunities for Energy Savings
• Annotated Bibliography
• Influence of Local Climate on HVAC System Exercise with Regional Examples
• HVAC System Documentation Worksheets

112 pages, spiral bound, 8.5” x 11”, no quantity discount.