Title: Impact of climate change on indoor environment of historic libraries in Mediterranean climate zone

Authors: Cihan Turhan; Zeynep Durmus Arsan; Gulden Gokcen Akkurt

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Izmir Institute of Technology, Gülbahçe Kampüsü, 35430 Urla, İzmir, Turkey ' Department of Architecture, Izmir Institute of Technology, Gülbahçe Kampüsü, 35430 Urla, İzmir, Turkey ' Department of Energy Systems Engineering, Izmir Institute of Technology, Gülbahçe Kampüsü, 35430 Urla, İzmir, Turkey

Abstract: Most historic library buildings house valuable paper-based collections that are kept in unconditioned environments. This vulnerable cultural heritage is expected to be highly affected by climate change in the future. In this study, indoor microclimate of an unconditioned historic library, Necip Paşa Library (Izmir, Turkey) is analysed for existing conditions and future climate data. The measured and predicted indoor microclimate data from 'present' till 2080s are used to determine possible chemical degredation risk on library collection and human comfort. Comparison of periodic results of future climate data indicates an increase in temperature that could cause both an increase in chemical degredation risk on the library collection and a decline in thermal comfort conditions. Mitigation of climate change effects on library collection and human comfort requires taking some actions such as adding light and adaptive mechanical solutions.

Keywords: climate change; thermal comfort; degradation risk; paper-based collections; historic libraries; dynamic simulation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGW.2019.101083

International Journal of Global Warming, 2019 Vol.18 No.3/4, pp.206 - 220

Received: 24 Oct 2018
Accepted: 24 Feb 2019
Published online: 23 Jul 2019 *

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