[LM_NET] Hit: temperatures in the library

[Anne Timbs <timbsa@K12TN.NET>]

I posted this question yesterday and got several responses, but only one 
that truly addressed the issue.


Question:
In order to conserve energy my school system has asked that all teachers 
turn their classroom thermostats down at night and this summer when school 
is out we'll be asked to turn them up to 75. I didn't adjust the library 
temperature when I left yesterday, but apparently the janitor did. Where can 
I find documentation to show my administration that the library should stay 
at a constant temperature.  And what is that temp. exactly?  I try to keep 
it around 70-71 degrees.

Answer:
The key is not so much temperature as humidity level.  I see you're in 
Tennessee.  We are in Florida and certain times of the year-summer 
especially-the humidity is very high.  Leaving the temperature higher at 
these times is an open invitation to mold and mildew.  We keep a  humidistat 
in the library and have one on our thermostat and try to keep the humidity 
below 65%.  Some sources recommend even lower parameters.  See 
http://www.nelib.org/netsl/pastprograms/preservationtechniques.htm which 
reports "Fluctuations of heat and humidity also accelerate deterioration, 
including mold growth. Temperatures should not rise above seventy degrees, 
as measured with a real thermometer, not an often unreliable thermostat. 
Humidity levels should remain between 30 and 50 percent."



Anne M. Timbs
Library Media Specialist
Roan Creek Elementary
Mountain City, TN
timbsa@k12tn.net 

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