Client
- Regional Scientific Library in Liberec
- Municipal Library in Jablonec nad Nisou
Challenge
There are recommended environmental standards for the long-term preservation of library collections (in warehouses, depositories, and vaults) based on rules for the protection of written and paper cultural heritage. Book collections, especially in large public libraries, need a stable indoor climate to ensure the long-term durability of books.
Solution
To maintain the recommended conditions, it is necessary to continuously monitor the indoor environment of library collections. Using smart digital technologies, it is possible to effectively measure key parameters of the internal environment of book collections, such as temperature, humidity, dust levels, light intensity, and pressure. Based on the data obtained, intelligent systems can automatically adjust the settings of key parameters, ensuring optimal conditions.
For monitoring purposes at selected entities, a device with the trade name CHESTER from HARDWARIO, a.s. was used. It is a modular IoT platform designed for industrial applications such as Industry 4.0, smart cities, remote measurement, and agriculture. CHESTER allows sensors, actuators, PLC controllers, and other devices to be connected to the internet, facilitating the collection and transmission of data from various environments.
Thanks to its flexibility, wide configuration options, low power consumption, and robust construction (IP67), the device is suitable for long-term and reliable monitoring.
During the measurements, the following limit values were monitored in particular:
| Parameters | Recommended value | Note |
| Temperature | 16–18 °C | Stable temperature without sudden fluctuations; lower temperatures slow down paper degradation. |
| Relative humidity (RH) | 45–55 % | DlLong-term deviations can cause paper to become brittle or mold to form. |
| Temperature and humidity fluctuations | max ±2 °C / ±5 % RH per 24 h | Stability is more important than absolute values. |
| Lighting (when working) | max 200 lx | Prolonged exposure to light, especially UV light, damages paper. |
Result
Regional Scientific Library in Liberec:
Based on the available results from measurements taken in the archives of the Regional Scientific Library in Liberec, it was found that the most significant deviations from the recommended conditions were recorded in temperature values, which were elevated, and relative humidity, which was low. Following these findings, the installation of a permanent monitoring system was recommended to continuously record basic environmental parameters – in particular temperature, light intensity, and relative humidity – which will also be addressed by automatic humidification of the archive environment.
The Regional Scientific Library in Liberec is currently preparing an application for a grant for the purchase and installation of a permanent monitoring system with automatic connection to humidifiers from VISK 4 of the National Program for the Protection of Library Collections.
Jablonec nad Nisou Municipal Library:
Similar measurements were also carried out at the Municipal Library in Jablonec nad Nisou, where, however, it was not only book archives that were measured, but also areas that are regularly visited by library users. Based on a comprehensive evaluation of the measurements taken in all monitored parts of the library building, it was found that the individual spaces show significant differences in the quality of the indoor environment and their suitability for storing the library collection and accommodating visitors. The worst conditions for the preservation of the book collection and for visitors were identified in the library’s basement, which clearly showed unsatisfactory parameters, particularly in terms of extremely high relative humidity, which reached values of around 80% over a long period of time.
Overall, it was again recommended to introduce a unified system of continuous monitoring of microclimatic parameters throughout the entire building, with an emphasis on the areas designated for archiving the library collection. In combination with the possibility of automatic regulation, this would create long-term protection of the library collection, optimize operating conditions, and increase visitor comfort.
Benefits for the customer
Thanks to the “test before invest” service, both entities were able to try out microclimate monitoring. This service provided them with an overview of current values, based on which they can now make informed decisions about which measures to take.
Reference
“We gratefully accepted the offer to try out indoor environment monitoring in the library and were curious about its progress and results. The measured data confirmed and, above all, quantified our long-term, rather amateur observations—for example, summer overheating, especially in the south-facing parts of the building, the deteriorated microclimate in the hall during events, and excessive humidity in the basement—rather than revealing completely new facts. The library is located in the historically protected building of the old town hall, where the space for major interventions in the interior environment is naturally limited. Nevertheless, partial measures are being prepared, such as dehumidification of the cellars and gradual replacement of windows, and it will be interesting to monitor their impact through further measurements.”
Petr Hejhal – Director of the Jablonec nad Nisou Municipal Library, p. o.
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