12 TWENTY-FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT

REPORT ON AN INSPECTION OF THE STORAGE CONDITIONS

IN THE MARYLAND HALL OF RECORDS AND NEW STATE

OFFICE BUILDING, ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND

The undersigned, having inspected conditions of storage in your
Hall of Records and in the new State Office Building on April 28,
I960, and having reached the same conclusions, submit this as a joint
statement of comment and recommendation. Our primary attention was
to the atmospheric conditions in the several storage areas, but we also
bore in mind aspects of physical security, including that of fire pro-
tection.

Our report follows under the headings of Conditions Observed
and Recommendations.

Conditions Observed

On each of the six floor levels of the record storage section of the
Hall of Records Building, it was apparent that adequate attention has
been given to matters of overall housekeeping and maintenance, in
terms of both orderliness and general cleanliness. Limited time pre-
cluded a detailed examination of the state of preservation of the con-
tents of either individual volumes or other record units stored there
and elsewhere. No records were observed, however, that appeared out-
wardly to be neglected with respect to preservative measures.

It was not necessary to evaluate conditions of atmosphere since a
hygrothermographic device had been in operation and the chart showed
very acceptable prevailing conditions of both temperature and relative
humidity (a temperature very close to the ideal of 70° F and relative
humidity of approximately 50 percent). There was also a desirable
movement of air, although its velocity might stand an increase in the
interest of improved circulation. With the existing system of air-condi-
tioning, no adverse effects, such as mildew or mold should develop.
To counteract any possible human or mechanical failure that might
result in a loss of control over relative humidity, appropriate emergency
combative measures could be taken (see under Recommendations). The
area appeared to be free from specific fire hazards, being basically con-
structed of noncombustible materials. Some attention might be given to
the need for improved location and maintenance, according to stand-
ards, of first-aid fire fighting equipment (see Recommendations).