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A Review of “Planning New andRemodeled Archival Facilities.Thomas P.”Maria Barbara Bertini aa State Archives of MilanPublished online: 11 Oct 2008.

To cite this article: Maria Barbara Bertini (2008) A Review of “Planning New andRemodeled Archival Facilities. Thomas P.”, Journal of Archival Organization, 5:4,81-83, DOI: 10.1080/15332740802153773

To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15332740802153773

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Book Reviews 81

science students will find it especially useful as an example for compilingguides to online research.

Tara C. CraigRare Book & Manuscript Library

Columbia University

PLANNING NEW AND REMODELED ARCHIVAL FACILITIES.Thomas P. Wilsted. Chicago: Society of American Archivists, 2007, 204pp., $49.00 (SAA Member price $35.00) ISBN: 1931666253.

Thomas P. Wilsted’s book Planning New and Remodeled Archival Fa-cilities is divided into eleven chapters, with black and white illustrationsof different U.S. archival facilities and very useful and practical appen-dices. This publication is intended for the use of archivists, conservators,librarians, and all individuals concerned with the care and preservation ofarchival materials in a new or remodeled building, as well as for architects,designers, and engineers responsible for archival repositories. It could alsobe a very practical tool in archival education programs and might be en-joyable reading for the general public interested in cultural heritage. Sincethe construction of archival buildings has become a subject of study—like construction and renovation of stadiums, commercial centers, or tradefairs—in recent years, it is definitely a useful tool for architects. In therecent past, many new archival facilities have been built and have beendiscussed in publications such as Christopher Kitching’s Archives Build-ings in the United Kingdom, 1993–2005 (Phillimore, 2007) or G. Ermisse,E. Marguin-Hamon, and F. Saıe-Belaısc, Les Batiments d’archives: 1986–2003 (Direction des Archives De France, 2004). Although it is certainlypositive that so many new buildings have been constructed, very littledocumentation that addresses the concerns of archivists exists about thesubject, with the exception of the ISO 11799 Information and Documenta-tion Document Storage Requirements for Archives and Library Materials(2003).

Therefore, Wilsted’s book provides a very welcome guide explaining ina truly effective way some of the issues and points of discussion of whicharchivists should be aware when planning new or remodeled buildingswith architects, engineers, and contractors. After a decade since Ted Ling’s,Solid, Safe, Secure: Building Archives Repositories in Australia (Canberra:National Archives of Australia, 1998), we now have here another step-by-

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82 JOURNAL OF ARCHIVAL ORGANIZATION

step guide to address the many problems that archivists and librarianshave to solve when facing a new construction or renovation of an archivalfacility.

The author takes his readers by the hand with very clear and under-standable language to explain the attention that must be paid to differentaspects of the process. For example, in chapters 2 and 3, he discussesthe choice of site (chapter 2) and the building structure (chapter 3). Healso guides us through the preparation of an accurate program in closeconsultation with the architect and other specialists in order to develop afull understanding of all the technical requirements (chapter 4); he teachesus, in turn, to create a real communication flow between technicians andcontractors (chapter 5). Finally, he defines the optimum environment forour documents and how to protect our collections against fire (chap-ter 6). In chapter 7, the author reiterates the importance of protectingour collections from fire and gives us important suggestions on buildingsecurity.

In the case of renovation of an existing building, Wilsted suggests tomove to temporary quarters (chapters 9 and 10). In my opinion, this sug-gestion is very valuable. Thus, we can learn about preparing the collectionfor a move, how to select a moving company, and the different steps ofcarrying out the move. Other helpful suggestions are offered about pur-chasing equipment such as shelving and study room lighting to completea facility, because sometimes the original design is not always fully oper-ational (chapter 9). Another very important aspect that must be taken intoaccount is the maintenance program. Notwithstanding budgetary restric-tions that occur everywhere, it is necessary to find a way to obtain the bestwith the minimum maintenance and running costs. Finally, Wilsted insistson preventive maintenance, housekeeping, fire safety, accident prevention,indoor air quality, pest management, and disaster preparedness: in short,the day-by-day life of our buildings (chapter 11).

The reader can find comprehensive lists with addresses, telephone num-bers, e-mail, and website addresses, and contact information for inquiries.Appendix 1 provides the costs and sizes of new and remodeled archivefacilities completed since 1990 in the United States, and Appendix 2 is avery informative glossary of building and construction terms and acronyms.The third and fourth appendices provide a list of contact information formoving specialists, building equipment suppliers, and other services. Thebook ends with a rich bibliography of North American, Australian, andEuropean literature about every aspect pertaining to archival buildingscovered in the text.

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Book Reviews 83

It is evident from reading Planning New and Remodeled Archival Fa-cilities that the author has extensively researched the American and alsoAustralian and European literature. He also complements the bibliograph-ical research with extensive experience in the field that provides him withthe tools to critically evaluate existing literature. In 1968, the author workedon the renovation of the archives at the Illinois State Historical Library andafterwards worked on projects in New Zealand, New York, and Wyoming.Writing about personal experiences is very important because other peopleare able to benefit from it; they can avoid some of the mistakes and comeequipped with solutions to problems. Shared experiences are vital in ourprofessions as in many other aspects of life.

Maria Barbara BertiniState Archives of Milan

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