Herbarium Compactorization Update

From Plant Press, Vol. 2, No. 1, April 1999.

Compactorization of the first two bays of the U.S. National Herbarium was officially completed at the beginning of February 1999. This area represents about one-tenth of the herbarium. Compactorization provided space for an additional 128 specimen cabinets, increasing storage within those areas by 36%. This will allow for sorely needed decompression of existing collections and will provide expansion to take the herbarium into the 21st century. Progress on the next two bays (adjacent to the west side of those finished) is well underway regarding blueprints and contracts. Actually demolition and construction will not begin for several months.