Pollutant Research Partnership Opportunity

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IPI is looking to partner with three collecting institutions in North America as part of a three-year research project, Integrating Risk Assessment for Pollutants into Energy-saving Strategies, funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). The project involves two years of field research focused on monitoring room-level pollutant concentrations while implementing energy-saving strategies for mechanical system operation. This is an exciting opportunity for participants to engage in collaborative research with external experts, gain valuable project insights into the presence of pollutants within a storage space, and benefit from energy monitoring and the implementation of energy-saving operations for improved preservation, cost savings, and reduced carbon footprint.

Partner institutions will collaborate with the IPI project team to monitor temperature, relative humidity, pollutant levels, and energy usage in a collection storage space over two years. To ensure field-research goals can be met, partners will be identified through an application process. To be considered, partner institutions must have a collection storage space with a dedicated mechanical system capable of being programmed (i.e. BMS equipment). Monitoring equipment will be provided.

In the first year, monitoring will establish baseline conditions and, in the second year, energy-saving strategies (system shutdowns, fan speed reduction, and outside air reduction) will be implemented and the impact on conditions recorded through continued monitoring. The duties and time commitment of the lead contact at each partner institution is expected to be:

• A two-day site visit (as well as involving other relevant staff in facilities and collections care, to familiarize project team members with the storage space and its operation, and install equipment)
• Remote team meetings (totaling 8 days)
• Steps related to the documentation, implementation, and dissemination goals of the project (totaling 8 days), such as downloading data and coordinating with internal staff to schedule changes in mechanical system operation

Multiple applications from the same institution for different storage spaces will be considered, but a separate application must be completed for each space. If you have any questions regarding the project and partner expectations, please contact Kelly Krish at kmkpph@rit.edu. Applications will be accepted through May 31, 2021, with notification in mid-June and on-site work to begin in October.