Online/Virtual Event

Tuesday, July 26th 2022 from 4:00pm to 5:00pm

See a recording of this webinar here.

Myth #2: “The perfect temperature and relative humidity for collections is 70ºF and 50% RH.”

Back in the early years of the preservation profession, there was the 70/50 Rule: your space temperature had to be 70 degrees and 50% relative humidity, with no deviation from those set points. Nowadays, there is no perfect set of numbers that will create the ideal climate for your collections – it is about knowing your building, HVAC systems, collections, and space use. One also needs to consider reducing energy consumption and sustainability. In this webinar, you will learn about how to determine the best environment for your collections, troubleshoot common problems with temperature and relative humidity control in spaces, and helpful hints for sustainability in climate control.

About This Series

There are some longstanding “myths” about preservation; some stem from past theories that have been rethought or retooled and others from only remembering part of the story. Check out this webinar series to hear the truth about mold, climate control, and emergency planning.

About Our Presenter:

Tara D. Kennedy is the Preventive Conservator at the Yale Library Center for Preservation and Conservation. She holds an MLS and Certificate of Advanced Study in Preservation and Conservation Studies for library and archival collections. Before coming to Yale, she interned at the National Archives, and worked as a paper conservator at the Smithsonian’s National Anthropological Archives in Washington DC and the Ford Conservation Center in Omaha, Nebraska. She is a Professional Associate member of the American Institute for Conservation (AIC) and is a member of the National Heritage Responders (NHR), a group of volunteer conservators who assist cultural institutions and people around the United States whose collections have been affected by disasters.