[spcollig] compact shelving

[Melissa Ann Hubbard]

Hi Sarah,

SIUC's experience with compact shelving for rare books has not been all that positive.  They were installed last February, and they have broken at least 6 different times since then.  When they break, it's usually because one of the moving parts has fallen off, causing that shelving unit to stop moving.  When one unit stops moving, it can block the movement of many other units, making large sections of the stacks inaccessible.  I'm not sure if this is a problem inherent to the stacks or if it has something to do with the original installation.  Movable stacks are also dangerous for materials--we had a pamphlet fall behind its shelf into the tracks, and it was completely destroyed.  Fortunately, it was a replaceable item.  Although these stacks are convenient, and for us they are absolutely necessary because of the very limited space assigned to rare books in our recently renovated library, I would generally not recommend them for rare materials if they can be avoided, based on our experience.

Best,

Melissa




-----Original Message-----
From: spcollig-bounces at carli.illinois.edu on behalf of Horowitz, Sarah
Sent: Wed 8/25/2010 4:25 PM
To: spcollig at carli.illinois.edu
Subject: [spcollig] compact shelving
 
Hello,
 
We are investigating compact shelving for part of our rare book
collection.  If anyone has experience (good or bad) with types of
shelving or vendors, or any recommendations, I would appreciate hearing
about it.  
 
Many thanks,
Sarah
 
Sarah Horowitz
Special Collections Librarian
Thomas Tredway Library
Augustana College
Rock Island, IL 61201
(309) 794-8814
sarahhorowitz at augustana.edu