IoT-Driven Environmental Monitoring in Special Collections Preservation

Abstract

A stable environment is essential for the long-term preservation of rare books, manuscripts, and artifacts within special collections. These kinds of materials deteriorate more quickly when there is a dramatic variation in temperature, relative humidity, light levels, and dust and other airborne particulates. The purpose of this paper is to detail an IoT-based environment monitoring system directed at the preservation of special collections. A set of small, low-power sensors is being used to capture real-time data on key environmental parameters within display and storage areas. These data are continually transmitted to the cloud and are analyzed for trends, deviations, and risk. A case study undertaken in a university archive demonstrated longitudinal microclimatic fluctuations that could not be recorded effectively through traditional monitoring systems. The ability of the IoT system to conduct this level of monitoring aids conservators and facility managers in making more intelligent decisions in their collections/preservation management. The IoT system also allows for automated alerts and customizable threshold-based reporting, historical reporting over long periods of time, and data visualization. Using this procedure, routine inspections become less necessary, responsiveness to changes to the environment is improved, and preventive conservation is more easily undertaken. The research illustrated how easily new technologies can be utilized to improve the management of heritage assets in a way that ultimately provides better protection for irreplaceable cultural heritage. The framework we present is adaptable and scalable and can be applied to institutions, including libraries, archives, and museums.