Measuring air movement in small spaces: understanding air movement in historic bookshelves

The National Trust has tested ventilation holes in bookshelves to encourage air movement behind books as a possible strategy to improve the environment in these microclimates. This could be used as a preventive measure for mould development. Air movement was measured in historic bookshelves to understand what causes air movement and the impact of ventilation holes on the shelves behind books. Three libraries in National Trust properties were used as case studies. It was found that pressure differential and stack effect are two mechanisms contributing to the air velocities measured. However, several variables are believed to influence air movement in these small spaces, and further research is needed to understand its influence on mould development.