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Collection Maintenance
Stack Maintenance
The most basic function of stack maintenance in a public or academic library is to reshelve materials. The people doing this are often lower-wage employees, student workers, even volunteers, and they must be carefully trained to understand the importance of their job. Library collections must be treated with great care and the shelves must be kept orderly, because the condition of the stacks conveys a sense of the library's commitment to the well-being of its collections.
Preservation Concerns in Stack Maintenance
When transporting collections, shelvers must use a sturdy and easily maneuverable book truck. Materials must be packed on the book truck in such a way that they cannot easily fall off. There should be step stools and open shelves provided in the stacks so that patrons can safely access books and materials without damaging them.
Shelvers should pay attention to the following issues:
- Make sure books do not extend beyond the edge of the shelf.
- Shelve oversize books properly, usually flat in stacks of three or less.
- Straighten books that are leaning.
- Shelve books spine down; shelving spine up causes the text block to come loose from the covers.
- Use book supports (bookends) where needed.
- Do not pack books so tightly that removing them becomes difficult.
- Report overcrowded stack areas, and shift materials within the stacks when necessary to remedy this problem.
On the left, the crowded shelves show books leaning against each other, with some shelved spine up; this will cause distortion. On the right, these books are shelved upright and well-supported by bookends. Space is left on the shelves to allow for easy shelving and removal.
Staff members who are reshelving books should also keep an eye out for damaged volumes that might need repair or cleaning, and they should report any storage areas that are particularly dirty and need to be cleaned by the custodial crew.
