Study of Old Library Dust (SOLD)

This project is being carried out in collaboration with the Department of Geology. It focuses on investigations into dust and VOC levels in the Old Library, which forms part of a multi-faceted study of the building, the collections, and the environment.

The Library at Trinity College (now termed the Old Library) was built between 1712 and 1732. It retains its original function as a library and a research space but also houses office space, an exhibition space and a retail area. In the past fifteen years, visitor numbers have increased to over 500,000 per annum, and their impact and that of the modern urban environment is being assessed through the study of the indoor environment.

The high numbers of visitors to the Old Library and urban situation of Trinity College Dublin create significant environmental pressure on the storage conditions with the 277 year-old building.

The results of the first phase of the SOLD investigation show that high accumulations of dust are prevalent on the collection of early printed books and that sources are derived from both inside and outside the Building. The rate of accumulation of new dust is being measured by loss of gloss from standard microscope slides, and data from this ongoing research will be used in the development of a preservation plan for the Building.

The SOLD project aims to:

• Assess the existing dust in terms of type, source, location
• Monitor the type, source, accumulation rate and distribution of incoming dust
• Identify interactions of the sources of pollutants with the collection
• Provide a model of dust accumulation from which effective environmental management can be developed
• Increase the research output of TCD in an area of considerable international interest
• Enable full participation in collaborative research through COST Action D42