Air humidification in libraries and antiquarian bookshops.
Regulated air humidity prevents ageing and damage to books as they largely consist of paper, glue and ink. Depending on the temperature, paper extracts or emits moisture into the ambient air, expanding or contracting accordingly.
If the air is too dry, paper becomes brittle and tears - in air that is too damp, it becomes rippled and ‘spongy’. A relative air humidity of 60-65% is therefore recommended for the optimal storage of books and other written documents. To constantly maintain the air humidity within this narrow margin, regulated air humidification is essential.
Professional humidification systems must be used in libraries otherwise the air humidity will quickly lessen due to the hygroscopic properties of large amounts of paper. Air humidity also directly impacts the well-being and health of visitors and employees. If the air is too dry, people emit moisture into the atmosphere due to the body’s water balance. This results in drying out of the skin, lips and eyes which quickly impacts general well-being. Additionally, the function of the mucous membrane in the respiratory channels is also negatively impacted, becoming less able to protect against bacteria and viruses.
Here is an overview of the advantages of air humidification in libraries and antiquarian bookshops:
- Protects valuable and irreplaceable books and other written documents
- Creates a healthy and pleasant environment
- Less cleaning required due to lower dust pollution
- Protects against electrostatic discharge
- Highly energy efficient when air conditioning the rooms
