ASHRAE OR-10-022

Abstract

<strong>INTRODUCTION</strong> <br>Timing couldn't be better; the Society of American Archivists (SAA) has been studying the need to establish comprehensive and uniform guidance for the design of archival facilities. A special task force working group Cochaired by Archival Facility Consultants Michelle Pacifico and Thomas Wilsted was created which consisted of representation from the engineering industry, architectural expertise, construction industry, archive users, and expertise of the Library of Congress (LOC) and the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). The task force has spent about 2 years in its deliberations to develop realistic design guidelines for facilities design and their environmental criteria for temperature, relative humidity and filtration needs. <br>The fruits of their labors are soon to reach the general public in a new publication which will be a comprehensive guide for archive designers. The document is titled "Archival and Special Collections Facilities Guidelines for Archivists, Librarians, Architects, and Engineers". The document will be available in fall 2009 and is published by the Society of American Archivists. Timing is perfect because ASHRAE is right now in the process of revisiting its handbook chapter which addresses the design of Museums, Galleries, Libraries, and Archives. Accordingly, it looks like the two agencies will be able to be consistent with each other, thus strengthening the value of both ASHRAE and the SAA as their design guidelines go forward in an integrated fashion.