I'll summarise the replies I've received to this enquiry regarding how long to keep temperature and humidity readings for strongrooms.
Many of you recommended keeping this data indefinitely, or for as long as the records stored in your repository exist. It was observed that the temp & RH records aren't usually voluminous, particularly if graphs reflecting a month's activity are kept rather than daily readings. Several of you had been able to draw on years' worth of past readings to support your arguments for changing your environmental control systems - or reverting to a less complex, more successful system!
A conservator has helpfully directed me to the MLA's Benchmarks in Collections Care, which recommend keeping this data for at least five years.
Thank you very much to everyone who replied for sharing your knowledge and experience. I appreciate it!
Emma
Contact the list owner for assistance at [log in to unmask]
For information about joining, leaving and suspending mail (eg during a holiday) see the list website at
https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/webadmin?A0=archives-nra
|