Try portable dehumidifiers for the most humidity sensitive collections
areas, you can also tape up plastic sheeting around doorways or to
partion areas for selelctive dehumidification. Also talk to your
engineer or whoever runs your HVAC system (if you have one) and even
if you don't have humidity control you can swing the temperature
setting to cut back on the ambient RH until things stabilize.

The best thing is for you and other staff to keep a tight eye on the
collections and the building to catch any mold or mildew outbreak
right at the start.

Cheers!
Dave

David Harvey
Conservator
Los Angeles, California

On 6/29/06, Pamela Silvestri <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> The museum building where I work is averaging 70-75% humidity the last  few
> days due to rain this past week. When I opened the building today...the
> entire
> cement floor was (is still) wet, all of my mail, paperwork and  supplies are
> damp...sat down on my chair and it was damp too.
>
> There is no way for me to prevent this occurrence on these rainy and/or
> humid days. As in the past, all I can do is dry things out when conditions
> improve.
>
> My assessment of course is that at this level of humidity and for days at a
> time to boot- the collections are at risk (mold, mildew, deterioration,
> etc).
> I  have never seen this much humidity and dampness in the building before
> and
> this  all is due to the weather conditions (and without being able to
> control
> the  indoor conditions).
>
> If these conditions were to continue for much longer this week - should I
> consider finding a drier facility for some of the collections? If so - what
> would be most at risk (paper and leather, I would think) of the paper,
> photographic materials, textiles (mostly wool), leather, wood, plastics, and
>  metal?
>
> After how many days of high humidity should I consider it crucial  enough
> time to take action? So far I have not seen any mold except for on some
> leather
> objects. All I have that is dry space is a small storage room.
>
> Pam
>
> Pamela Silvestri, Seasonal Interpretive Guide
> Northeast States  Civilian Conservation Corps Museum
> Connecticut State Department of  Environmental Protection
> State Parks Division
> Shenipsit State Forest  Headquarters
> 166 Chestnut Hill Road
> Stafford Springs, Connecticut  06076
> Telephone: (860) 684-3430
> e-mail: [log in to unmask]  or
> [log in to unmask]
>
> =========================================================
> Important Subscriber Information:
>
> The Museum-L FAQ file is located at
> http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed
> information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message
> to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help"
> (without the quotes).
>
> If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to
> [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff
> Museum-L" (without the quotes).
>
>

=========================================================
Important Subscriber Information:

The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes).

If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).