Yukon archives expansion will address growing issues with humidity

When the Yukon Archives was built, planners knew storage space would run out in 25 years, but they didn't know humidity would become an issue.

"We have a sense here at the archives that it'sbeen on the increase forprobably10 to 15 years," said RobRidgen, conservator with the Yukon Archives.

"When the building was built back in '92, it was built to deal with the environment at the time. Theequipment was not really designed to dehumidify the air to the extent that we needed it tobe dehumidified."

Ridgensays excess moisture coming into the building can create mould issues.

"That can cause staining and weakening of paper materials. It can also lead to corrosion of materials metals over time."

The $6.2 million expansion underway at the archives includes an improved ventilation system that will allow staff to control humidity and temperature in both the old and new facilities.

Last summer was wet

Rain has been the main culprit for the archives' humidity woes over the years, Ridgen explained. When it rains, staff have tomanually adjust the system so it doesn't draw in as much humid outside air.

Historichumidity levels are hard to findaccording to David Millar, a retiredweather service specialist with Environment Canada, but Yukon scientists saidtheterritory received 40 per cent more rainfall than usual last year.

6,000 square feet more space

IanBurnett, territorial archivist, is looking forward to having more storage when the space grows to 16,000 square feet. It will include more room for paper and digital materials as well as cold storage with 15stand-up freezers.

"We've typically stored at risk materials in freezers," he said."This [new storage] is a more robust vault for control of microclimates for storage of particular at risk media."

Burnett said theexpansion will be good for about 12 years at the rate of materials coming in.

"I'd say we probably get about 600 to 800 boxes per year," he said about Yukon government files alone.

"In addition to that we receive donations of private records too, from individuals and corporations. And those can vary in size dramatically from a few photos in one collection to 30 boxes from another."