A significant number of disasters happen during construction and renovation projects. Fires can start from electrical and mechanical equipment brought in by the contractor, or from a cigarette. The roof or walls might be open for a time and windows and doors may not close well, allowing water and air pollution to enter the building. If the construction takes place in the summer, there is an increased risk of mold outbreaks. With winter projects, the threat of pipes freezing becomes very real.

It also becomes more difficult to keep the building secure when outside contractors come and go. Staff cannot always do their own work efficiently at these times, let alone be on the lookout for doors or windows left open accidentally. And a stranger in the building during the renovation project might not arouse much concern.

Before beginning the project, isolate nearby collections. It may be sufficient to simply cover a section of stacks with plastic sheeting, tightly taped in place. But a more extensive project might require more elaborate steps. A temporary wall, preferably made of fire-proof materials, can be erected to separate the construction site from the rest of the building. HVAC; ducts should be sealed or reconfigured so that construction dust does not permeate the rest of the building. In this way, disruption will be kept to a minimum and security much less compromised.

Temperature and humidity will be much harder to control with part of the building open. Discuss this problem with the building engineer and emphasize the importance of stable conditions to the continued survival of the collection. HVAC filters will need changing during and after the project, and the ducts may need to be cleaned to remove all traces of debris. Keep in mind also that new portions of the HVAC system may need very close monitoring for at least a year before they are fully calibrated.

If it is not practical to isolate the construction site, then the collections should be moved to a secure storage location. This could be in another part of the building, in space at a sister institution or in off-site commercial storage. When selecting a storage location, consider the physical condition of the collection and the type of environmental conditions it will have. If space will be rented, this cost will have to be added to the project. Determine if access is needed to the material during the construction. All these options have to be evaluated and decided before construction starts.

During construction, staff and building maintenance workers will have to collaborate to keep the collections safe. Perhaps the building engineer can serve as liaison between the construction crew and the institution's staff. Collections and storage spaces should get more regular inspections and there should be a more heightened awareness of the building.

Keep in mind that construction can put a great deal of dust in the air, no matter how well isolated the renovation site might be. Accumulated dust can damage computers and peripherals as well diskettes and magnetic tapes. Vacuum dust from surfaces frequently and be especially attentive to backing-up routines during this time.