Mitteilungen des Österreichischen Staatsarchivs 39. (1986)
Archive Buildings and the Conservation of Archival Material. An Expert Meeting, held in Vienna, Austria October 30 - November 1, 1985 - STEWART, William J.: Summary of Discussions
Summary of Discussions 275 into a repository have passed through the walls, the noxious composition of those gases have been diluted. Not so, for air that comes into the archives directly through an open window. Secondly, research published by the National Gallery in London discloses that material kept in containers is far less affected by polluted air than items left on open shelves. The National Gallery kept some paper under glass for, I believe, twenty-five years in a room that was not air conditioned. The paper items sealed in glass were much less acidic than those paper items in the room left exposed to the ordinary London air. It is a simple enough matter to wrap the materials in acid free paper or bookbinders’ cloth and place them in boxes. The polluted air will be filtered through the box and cloth before it reaches the material. These commonplace conservation procedures are worth your consideration. GENERAL DISCUSSION Chair: Michel Duchein Due he in: The fourth session, which I open now, will be a general conclusion that embraces all the topics we have discussed. The first was the sensitive and pivotal matter of the cooperation not only between archivists and architects but between the architect and the political and economic decisionmaker in the process to erect a building, in the choice of a site, and in the decision for either a new building or the remodeling of an old one. The second session was devoted to the advantages and disadvantages of adapting existing structures to archival facilities. It was clear at the conclusion that there was no unequivocal answer to that question. It depends upon local circumstances and economic conditions, as well as the kind of repository required. It is certainly easier to adapt a small building for a small repository than adapt an enormous building to the needs of a large archive. Our third forum considered such an array of technical problems it is difficult to put them in summary form. There was the question of air conditioning and general climatic conditions and the issues of fire safety and document security. We examined air pollution and the related conditions of climate, heat, and humidity. We barely touched on restoration, but in truth it was not on our agenda. But if you wish to set aside time for this do so, as we have a restoration specialist in attendance, Wilfried Feindt. I know he will be pleased to deal with any specific concerns you might have. Neck: I have a question for Dr Buchmann about the location of the Bundesarchiv. The new österreichisches Staatsarchiv is rather far from the center of Vienna. But in three to five years you will be able to reach it quickly and directly by underground from Stephansplatz (the center of Vienna). I would like to inquire about your situation in Koblenz. 18*
