library stacks maintenance everything you every wanted to know but didn't know to ask!

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STACKS

Library stacks are the main storage unit a libraries physical collection.

STACKS

Stacks come is several different sizes, while most of the facing for the stacks is made of wood, the shelves can be either solid wood or steel.

STACKS

Stacks can even motorized and condensed to save space.

STACKS

Periodical stacks are differ from book stacks. Due to size and volume, periodicals are stored in stacks or flat shelved for more convenient access. For example bound periodicals will be housed on reinforces steel stacks meant to carry the weight of the books, while unbound periodicals will be stored under the magazines display case. Micro-film and Fiche are stored in tall flat cabinets to accommodate the volume of text.

STACKS

Stacks are permanent storage. They cannot be moved, but they can be expanded if space permits.

• Most libraries purchase stacks that will serve their library for twenty to 100 years.

• Stacks are secured ( bolted to the floor or wall ) however books are not secure and be jostled in the event of an earthquake.

• Books however can and will fall of the shelves if patrons:

• Push them

• Are too forceful with books

• Lean on the stacks

STACK MAINTENANCE

Taking care of the stacks is one of the primary duties of circulation services.

Stack maintenance includes:

Shelving books and re-shelving materials

Straightening the stacks

Shifting

Dusting

Shelf-reading

Updating –shelf range signage

Shelving and Reshelving terms

Blocking- the task of lining the spines of the books up with the edge of the shelf

Carts (and/or trucks) wheeled shelving units that are used to hold and transport books

Column- one vertical unit of shelving generally usually consisting of seven shelves

Compact Shelving- electric rows of shelving that run on tracks and open by pressing the button closest to the isle that needs to be opened; these are used on the 1st and 2nd floors of the library in order to conserve space

Face- a unit of shelving consisting of half a range (one row) composed of 5-15 columns.

Leveling- The task of bringing books back to their appropriate floors

Range of Shelving- a unit consisting of two rows (faces) of shelving

Row- a unit of shelving consisting of half of a range of shelving

Shifting- relocating and reorganizing books to accommodate growth of the library collection

Stacks- the rows of books that house the library's collection

Sweeping- the task of locating books used by patrons and returning them to their proper reshelving areas

THE BASICS OF SHELVEING

Shelving books

To shelve book properly books must be in call number order. Books on a cart or shelving area will not always be in the correct order sort through books based on call number and them begin to shelve.

All stacks have

Shelf signs that tell the clerk and the patron where book are stored.

NAVIGATING THE STACKS

NAVIGATING THE STACKS Shelf Signs correspond to the range of books/materials on a given stack.

Stack signs are often directional or help to explain the contents of a section.

NAVIGATING THE STACKS

Additional signs help patrons to find larger or more specific sections.

EXAMPLE OF A SHELF SIGN

J 92 ACOSTA FIC ABB to to

J 92 ZAPATA FIC KRO ← →

SHELVING TOOLS

There are several tool every clerk needs to successfully re-shelve book in any library These include :

• Shelving truck (book cart)

• Steele book supports

SHELVING TOOLS

Book carts, or book trucks are a movable storage unit that stores book while they re being returned to the shelves. Book carts /trucks can be single or double sided, and can also be used as a sorting area for clerks who work in libraries where there is no other place to sort books.

SHELVING TOOLS

Steel Shelve support are a must for properly carrying for library books Libraries use the supports to prop-up books and keep them straight, they also use them to divide books by call number or location.

Steele supports come in several sized to accommodate the height of any book. The bottoms have no-slip padding to firmly hold books in place.

SHELVING OTHER MEDIA

Clerks also shelve other types of media including : • VHS and DVD’s • Periodicals • Microfilm and Micro-

fiche• Maps • Oversize materials • Pamphlets