That is a bit high; you could try to manage the RH with a desiccant like
silica gel if need be.  It seems that the value of having your accession
files in a fire proof cabinet is worth the trouble.

Pamela Elbe
Collections Manager and Archivist
National Museum of American Jewish Military History
1811 R St. NW, Washington DC  20009
p: 202.265.6280 x201 
f: 202.462.3192
http://www.nmajmh.org
 
Don't miss our exhibition, Reconnaissance and Recollection: Military and
Civilian Photographs from World War II-the photographs of Sy Weinstein.

-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Rene Legler
Sent: Wednesday, October 26, 2005 1:09 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Smelly, High Humidity Fire Proof File Cabinet Problem

Problem:

We have had a fire proof file cabinet since 2003.  We are reluctant to
put 
accession records (and maybe B/W photos) in it because we have been 
recording with a datalogger high humidity levels:  55-60% RH.  Are we 
insane or is this okay for paper?  My curator thinks it should be about
40% 
RH.  Any comments would be most welcome.

Sincerely,
Rene Legler
Registrar
Columbia River Exhibition of History, Science and Technology
95 Lee Blvd.
Richland, WA  99352
[log in to unmask]

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