On 4/9/06, MARY MANNING <[log in to unmask]> wrote
>
>    As an archivist in a special collections environment at a university, I
> am used to working with certain luxories, such as a tempertaure and
> humidity-controlled environment.  This is not the case with the archives
> that we are establishing.  The space that has been generously provided is in
> an office space in a basement of a commercial building.
>

first will there be some sort of legal agreement between the organization
and the building owner covering such things as utilties, access, rent ($1
per year?). what happens if the building's ownership changes?



It is a dry basement (does not flood), but I imagine it is damp.
>

Famous last words. "oh this space never floods" identify the  water pipes
and other utilities that may  cross throught the assigned space. Will access
have to be granted to workmen?

  The temperature, however, does remain fairly constant year round.  Without
> expensive equipment, what is the best way for me determine the humidity as
> well as reduce it and maintain it at a level that will not present a mold
> risk to the materials.
>

Expensive is relative. try these links.
http://www.attr.com/x10/humidity.htm
http://www.munters.com/home.nsf/0/0D2052CC11F817DFC1256D0F00468A52/$file/RH98.pdf
http://www.nedcc.org/plam3/tleaf22.htm
http://www.esmagazine.com/CDA/Archives/e21b0af6b0ca8010VgnVCM100000f932a8c0____


Could you also recommend any cheap to free pamphlets or thin books on
> archival basics?  I would like to provide these to interested Comfest
> volunteers.
>

http://clrc.org/progs/preserv.shtml

Finally, has anyone out there worked on a similar type project--an archive
> of a festival or started a archives with little funds from scratch?
>
One final note - how about developing a records retention schedule. that way
volunteers will be able to clearly identify records of an archival/
historical nature. and records that are n't can be destroyed when their time
is up.

>
>

--
Peter Kurilecz CRM CA
Richmond, Va

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