Thermohygrometric Climate, Insects and Fungi in the Klosterneuburg Monastic Library

The abundance of insect and fungal pests under a changing climate may threaten historic interiors, libraries and museums, with warmer, potentially more humid winters. This work examines local and indoor climate, insects and fungi in a historic library near Vienna. It reveals a mostly dry and cool environment for the storage of books, but few visitors to induce changes. Temperature and relative humidity have been monitored for 12 months (2021-07/2022-07), with 14 monitors positioned insect traps (blunder traps and some pheromone traps). Fungi in air, on surfaces and in settled dust were also sampled. Winter temperatures in library cupboards and behind shelves were slightly warmer (similar to 1 degrees C) and more humid than in the library environment. Over the last decade there have been infestations of the biscuit beetles (Stegobium paniceum) but since treatment with sulfuryl difluoride, Anthrenus sp. have dominated. Silverfish are also present, but only in one corner. Fungal outbreaks have also been found, but over five years fungi in air samples have shifted from Penicillium commune and P. chrysogenum to Aspergillus sp. The stable environment at Klosterneuburg is suitable for books, yet insects and mould present suggests vigilance remains necessary, as some microenvironments (e.g., cupboards) can be at risk and there may be materials with high water content, hygroscopic or of nutritional value.

Automated summary

This study examines the local and indoor climate, insects, and fungi in a historic library near Vienna. The research reveals that the library environment is mostly dry and cool, but temperatures and humidity behind cupboards and shelves are slightly higher. Biscuit beetles infestations have been observed in the past decade, but treatment has shifted the dominance to Anthrenus sp. Silverfish are also present, but only in one corner. Fungal outbreaks have occurred, and the types of fungi in the air have changed. While the stable environment at Klosterneuburg is suitable for book preservation, the presence of insects and mold suggests the need for vigilance.