Storing books in a darkroom?

[geyes30]

Hey guys,

Due to severe space and shelving constraints, I am considering placing a fair number of my photography books in the same room I do my (darkroom) printing. I don't print quite as much as I'd like, maybe one three-day stretch every month or so. I figure it's probably a pretty bad idea to store my books there nevertheless, but thought I'd ask the APUG experts. Trust me, if I had a choice this will not even come up at all. Thanks!

Cyrus

 

[frank]

I've got tonnes of books in my darkroom, but none of them are valuable. After 20 years, I see no damage to them.

 

[snapguy]

tomes

I suppose in theory if you are using really dangerous chemicals -- the kind of stuff the EPA can fine you $15,000 a day if you are flushing them down the sewer -- there might be a problem after 100 years.

 

[pentaxuser]

-- there might be a problem after 100 years.

After a 100 years I find the bigger problem is my eyesight

pentaxuser

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Books don't like humidity or acidity, although I wouldn't be surprised if a certain amount of acidity can inhibit mold from humidity. If the darkroom is well ventilated and reasonably dry, it would be better for books and prints than if it isn't. The books I have in my darkroom are mostly technical books relating to darkroom work, not art books.

 

[nyoung]

Ventilation and humidity.
If your darkroom area is well ventilated and stays relatively dry, no problem. If the darkroom is a closet with no air circulation and high relative humidity because of open trays sitting about for days, BIG problems.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I keep a few books that I actively use in my dry darkroom. The rest of the photography books are in the bedroom and study.

 

[summicron1]

whatever would hurt the books would probably kill you first.

Feel ok? Then no problem. I have my entire photo library in mine.

 

[geyes30]

Awesome! You know, I was half-expecting someone to tell me that about how inks/paper/stabilizers will react with the chemicals and blah blah blah, so all your comments have been a breath of fresh air. I'm going to go ahead with my plan then. My darkroom has just been relocated from the US to Singapore, and I'm putting a dehumidifier in there to keep it nice and dry for much of the time. Hopefully this will do it!

 

[Christopher Walrath]

I keep a few handy. Do not hesitate.