Compact Shelving and Air Flow

[Beth Witherell <lb06thor@ucsbuxa.ucsb.edu>]

I'm advising an architect for a new facility being constructed in 
Lincoln, MA, that will house material related to Henry Thoreau.  He has 
made himself aware of most of the issues involved in archival storage, 
and has a question to which he has not been able to find an answer:
 
"We have been concerned that closed compact shelving does not provide
adequate air flow over sensitive paper and because of the 50% RH design
[the stacks are designed to maintain 50% relative humidity, +/- 5%],
stagnant conditions long term might be damaging. We have specified
mechanically assisted air flow but the suppliers claim (though they are
happy to provide as long as we invent) that the issue has never come up. 
How could this be possible?" 

Should he (and the keepers of these Thoreau collections) be concerned 
about the question of non-circulation of air?  The shelving will be in a 
closed stack area, so will not be opened frequently.

Please reply to me directly.  Thanks.

Beth Witherell
Davidson Library
UCSB