The whole publication in PDF - Culture in Development

pollutants), and the biological (fungi, bacteria, insects, rodents). The constant year-round heat speeds up the rate of
deterioration. The rule of thumb is that every 10 �C rise in temperature halves the life of a book (Thomson, 1994).
Additiona lly, ultraviolet radiation and other energy elements of light, combined with high temperature, result in an
acceleration of oxidation and hydrolysis. The effects o f chemical contamination are greatest whe n air is at its
saturation point and condensation occurs. In itself a high moisture content has already a great corrosive effect on
organic materials. When constant high relative humidity combines with high temperature and is left uncontrolled,
deterioration is extremely fast. The same fatal combination of heat and moisture creates a suitable environment for
biological agents. Fungi remain dormant in low relative humidity, but when it reaches seventy percent they thrive
and multiply. Insect pests are silent destroyers. Often nocturnal, they can do irreplaceable damage quickly and
secretly. In addition to these relatively gradual deterioration agents, the tropics are subject to sudden and violent
natural disasters. The tropics are, in fact, about as far as one could get from any vision of an ideal library or museum
environment (Baish, 1987a).
The majority of the countries in tropical climate zones were at one time or another under colonial rule. The impact
of colonialism on preservation and conservation in the newly formed states is still noticeable today. Research into
the establishment of information services in Africa has shown that the colonial administrations had little regard for
the establishment of national institutions to cater for archives and libraries. On the eve of their independence many
an African country had nothing they could refer to as a national archive and/or library. Even long after independence
some countries still do not have these institutions. It has been argued that the failure by some colonial
administrations to lay some form of foundation for the establishment of information services has contributed greatly
to the lack or weak preservation and conservation program mes in Africa (Khayundi, 1995). Ahmed Huq notices that
western observers, particularly the former rulers, of course, view this d ifferently (Huq et al., 1977). In other
countries, according to Plumbe, libraries have resulted from the mildly beneficial administration of colonial powers
(Plumbe, 1959a). Unfortunately, it appears that the lack of proper recognition of the need for conservation is also
omnipresent outside the African continent.
1.3 Tropical Climate Zones
Generally the tropical zone is defined as the area of land and w ater between the Tropic of Cancer (latitude 23.5� N)
and the Trop ic of Capricorn (latitude 2 3.5� S). Occup ying approximately forty percent of the land surface of the
earth, the tropics are the home to almost half of the world’s population. The area may be envisaged as a hot, moist
band around the equator, typified by little seasonal change of temperature. There are variations in climate within
the tropics, however ninety percent of the tropical zones embody hot and humid climatic regions, whether permanent
or seasonal. The remaining ten percent is desert-like, and characterised as hot and dry (Baish, 1987a).
The climates prevailing around the globe are primarily influenced by the sun's energy heating up the land and
water masses. At regional level the climate is influenced by altitude, topography, patterns of wind and ocean
currents, the relation of land to water masses, geomorphology, and the vegetation pattern. Accordingly, the tropical
and subtropical regions can b e divided into many different climatic zones, but for practical reasons, usually three
main climate zones are considered:
• the hot-arid zone, including the desert or semi-desert climate and the hot dry maritime climate;
• the warm-humid zone, including the equatorial climate and the warm humid island climate;
• the temperate zone, including the monsoon climate and the tropical upland zone.
This division into three climatic zones is very generalised since many areas exist with differing climates or a
combination of types. Local conditions may also differ substantially from the prevailing climate of a region,
depending on the topography, the altitude and the surroundings, which may be either natural or built by humans.
The presence of conditions like cold air pools, local wind, water bodies, urbanisation, altitude and ground surface
can all influence the local climate strongly (Gut et al., 1993).
As the features of ea ch zone are different it is obvious that this will result in different problems and consequently
different preservation solutions. However, the varied forms of tropical climate in different regions make it necessary
to generalise in this stud y. Although we acknowledge the importance of the issue it is beyond the scope of this
bibliography. Specific climatic zones are mentioned occasionally if the author so indicates.
For ease of reference, the definition north-south facing is used in the sense of the northern hemisphere. For the
southern hemisphere the terms have to be reversed. For example, where north orientation is recommended, then this
is valid for the northern hemisphere only. For the southern hemisphere the orientation would naturally be south.
1.4 Archives, Libraries and Museums
The title might suggest that this survey is about archives only. This is not entirely true. Many other institutions face
the same or similar problems, in particular libraries and museums. Archives, together with libraries and museums,
all take on the onerous task protecting and preserving a particular part of our common cultural heritage. They are
both specific yet complementary institutions. Each approaches preservation differently. It is not so much the physical
characteristics of the objects preserved as the method of preservation of their informational content which
distinguishes archives, libraries and museums (Gauye, 1984). One specific reason for the development and
preservation of archives, as fo rmulated in modern development terminology, is its contribution to good governance
as sound record keep ing. This is essential to an effective and efficient system of public administration. The holdings
of museums in developing countries also have particular characteristics as some art historians assume the absence