Re: Shelving space concerns Bogdanski, Elizabeth 23 Sep 2004 18:25 UTC
I have seen libraries deal with this in several ways. One option is to convert part of your collection to microform. Even if it is not a popular medium in your library it is an excellent way to preserve older materials that only have limited us anyway. Many libraries are weeding their collections based on the titles they get through JSTOR, Project Muse, etc. As long as your library will be maintaining these digital archive subscriptions indefinitely this is a good option and avoids duplication. One note of caution, you just need to pay close attention to the moving walls and embargoes. You will need to keep the currents of these titles to cover those years. A third solution I've seen is compact shelving. Though expensive it would allow you to keep your journal titles available onsite. I hope these ideas help. Beth Bogdanski, MLIS Library Holdings Consultant ProQuest-UMI Division 800-521-0600x3819 elizabeth.bogdanski@il.proquest.com http://www.umi.com -----Original Message----- From: SERIALST: Serials in Libraries Discussion Forum [mailto:SERIALST@LIST.UVM.EDU] On Behalf Of Linda Grooms Sent: Thursday, September 23, 2004 10:58 AM To: SERIALST@LIST.UVM.EDU Subject: [SERIALST] Shelving space concerns We are beginning to consider ways to optimize our limited shelving space for periodicals. Currently we shelve alphabetically, with our collection divided by date. Older material (published before 1984) is shelved in the basement and more recently published material is shelved on the main floor. This arrangement makes the most frequently used material most easily available to patrons. It appears that we will run out of shelf space before an addition to the library can be funded. Two of the options we are beginning to look at are remote storage and the possibility of digitizing part of our collection. I would like to pick your collective brain about these options, and any others that work for other libraries. If you have a remote storage arrangement, do you have materials on shelves or keep them in boxes? How did you decide what to store remotely? What kind of turn around time do you have to fill requests for materials remotely stored? Do you fill ILL requests for materials stored remotely? What works well, what is problematic? If you are digitizing your collection, or part of it, what considerations did you have to make? Are there copyright issues for digitizing materials the library owns, if the electronic product is for the use of the library only? Did you hire additional staff for the project? How was the project funded? What other questions would I be asking about this if I knew enough to ask? Are there any commercially available electronic products that cover these older periodical materials? I know we can't be the only ones dealing with these issues; paper doesn't last forever and shelf space is expensive. What are you doing? Linda Grooms Periodicals Supervisor duPont-Ball Library