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Book Stacks and Shelving
Conventional Stationary Stacks and Shelving
Has sufficient shelving been planned to meet the current and future needs of the library?
Are book stacks arranged sequentially in parallel ranges so that users can easily locate materials?
If book stacks are not arranged sequentially in parallel ranges, are variations clearly indicated?
Are there labels on both ends of ranges?
Is display shelving included to merchandise the collection?
Display units with sloping shelves?
Point-of-purchase displays as seen in bookstores and department stores?
Spinners or towers?
Slat-wall end panels or wall units?
Are all stacks and shelves clearly labeled as to content on both end panels and shelf lips?
Are there attempts to break the monotony of shelving by creative arrangement of seating or height and/ or type of shelving?
Are there no more than eight 36-inch sections without a break?
Have length of shelving and width of aisles been determined on the basis of traffic patterns and user accessibility?
Are the shelving height and depth adequate for uses?
Do double-faced sections of bracket shelving have bases 20 or 40 inches deep?
Is freestanding shelving, ranging from 78 inches or higher, anchored to the floor, or braced with top tie struts?
Are the shelving units:
Sturdy and well built?
Able to bear prescribed loads without sagging, bending, leaning, swaying, or collapsing?
Equipped with a finish that will endure normal use and cleaning for at least 30 years without signs of wear?
Smoothly finished with no burrs or sharp edges?
Standardized in design and color?
Designed to have interchangeable parts?
Equipped with adjustable shelves?
Equipped with shelves that are relatively easy to move when they are loaded?
Braced and/or anchored to comply with local regulations?
Equipped with end panels?
Equipped with canopies?
Are there special features:
Pull-out shelves?
Built-in lighting
Electrical access?
Shelf dividers?
Movable book supports of adequate size?
Range-label holders?
Shelf-label holders?
Current periodical shelves?
Wide-lip newspaper shelves?
Atlas and dictionary stands?
Are there accessories to display and house:
Audiocassettes?
Videocassettes?
Compact discs?
Picture books?
Paperback books?
Oversized and miniature materials?
Archival materials?
Films, filmstrips, slides, microforms?
Other odd-shaped items?
Does periodical shelving have a maximum reach height of 48 inches?
Does periodical shelving have sloping shelves that tilt and allow for storage on a flat shelf beneath?
Is the edge or lip on newspaper shelves wide enough to hold a large Sunday edition?
Is there a need for enclosed shelving with lockable doors?
Are the shelf/table units for reference and index materials?
Have nonpublic work and storage areas been provided with appropriate shelving?
Please direct all inquiries with regards to the library space planning & library furniture to the marketing department at Longo (info@longoinc.com). Longo offers design & furnishing solutions for both educational & public library settings.
Source: Checklist of Library Building Design Considerations
4th Edition
William W. Sannwald
American Library Association
Copyright 2001
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