The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) awarded the University of Kansas (KU) Libraries a Sustaining Cultural Heritage Collections Implementation Grant to complete the second phase of a multi-phased approach to update the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system (HVAC) in the Kenneth Spencer Research Library, which houses the University’s archival and special collections. The current award allowed KU Libraries to implement some of the energy-saving recommendations proposed by the Image Permanence Institute, previously hired by KU Libraries with funds from a NEH Sustaining Cultural Heritage Collections Planning Grant.
The focus of the current Implementation Grant was to replace pneumatically controlled reheats in collection areas of the building (approximately two-thirds of the building’s area) with modern electric reheats, variable air volume (VAV) dampers, and new direct digital controls (DDC) as a first step in eventually replacing the entire air handling system that dates to 1968. While the AHU in Spencer Library provides cooled, filtered, and some degree of humidity-controlled air to the building, all heating and dehumidification comes from the electric reheats installed in ducts throughout the building.
Testing and balancing of the system was completed before installation in order to garner a more complete picture of airflow throughout the building, as well as detailed information about the functionality of each heater. Collected data informed the installation of thirty-five heaters in collection storage areas, which took place after some delays due to the pandemic. After installation, a second testing and balancing operation was conducted to test the efficacy of the new heaters. Environmental monitoring for temperature and relative humidity was conducted throughout the granting period and continues. The ultimate goal of the long-term project was to better preserve our collections while also finding ways to save energy.National Endowment for the Humanitie
