Page 94 - DLIS104_MANAGEMENT OF LIBRARIES AND INFORMATION CENTRES

Unit 14: Library Building and Equipments

14.5 Procedures for Maintenance of Library Collections Notes

The following procedures help in maintenance of library collections.
Preservation of library material: Proper care of library collections is necessary with a view to
prolong its life. This requires preserving and protecting books against decay and deterioration. As
preventive measures, dusting and cleaning of books and shelves must be carried out on regular
basis. Books must be exposed to adequate air and sunlight for a short time in case the library room
does not get sufficient sunlight. Avoid keeping books is in damp places. Pest control treatment
may be got done on periodic basis. Books and other reading material may be got bound from time
to time. Besides, book supporters may be used to keep books upright on the shelves.
Reference books such as dictionaries, encyclopedias, directories and picture books are costly and
heavy in weight. They must be handled with care. Organizing reading materials on shelves and their
rectification: Normally, books and other reading materials in a library are organized into different
collections such as book collection, rare book collection, periodical collection, and reference collection,
etc. Books are arranged according to classified order. Besides, when some books are more in demand
than others in such cases the library may consider creating a separate sequence of books in great
demand. Reference books are also arranged in classified order. Periodicals are arranged by journal
title. Shelving and shelf rectification of reading material in different collections must be done preferably
every day to ensure that shelf arrangement of books and other reading material is as per prescribed
order. Shelf rectification is undertaken to ensure that books and other reading are kept on the shelves
as per prescribed order. In case they are not, necessary rectification is done to restore their order on
the shelves. This is important so that one could trace books on shelves from their prescribed locations
on the shelves when required. Other activities of library maintenance are: taking out worn out books
and other material for repair or binding, sending new books and journals for binding, display of
new books and other reading material received in the library, preparing stack room guides, and
shelving volumes returned after use, etc. Library may also perform stock verification on periodical
basis, with a view to weed out books, as per its policy, and writing off books, etc.

14.6 Library Furniture and Equipments

Library furniture such as Library stacks, shelving systems, trolleys and workstations are used in
public libraries, universities and schools.

14.6.1 Library Stacks

Library stacks are the most ubiquitous piece of furniture found in a library. It is used to store books,
bound volumes of periodicals, and sometimes pamphlet boxes. Each unit stack, made usually of
steel, are 180 ‘cm wide, 195 cm in height and 25 or 50 cm in depth depending on whether it is single
sided or double sided (i.e. 71/2" X 22" X 3"). A number of unit racks can be joined together to make a
long row. Each shelf or panel has two brackets on right and left side, inserted strongly to the shelf
ends. The sliding book stopper and back rest fitted to the grooves of the individual shelf ensure
upright positioning of books. Normally shelves are not packed more than 75% of the capacity. Stack
can be fixed or movable, wooden or metal, modular or space determined angle or skeleton.
A cheaper version of the book stack is the skeleton book rack, usually made of steel. The basic
structure is four slotted angle iron stands assembled with a shelf at the top and one at the bottom.
There can be any number of shelves in. between depending on the height of the rack and the need.
The bottom shelf is usually placed at a height at 15 cm, Width of the shelf is generally 90 cm and the
depth can vary from 15 cm to 45 6m. Racks can be of any height as needed. Besides economy,
skeleton racks have the advantage of versatility. Skeleton rack can also be used for lateral filing,
the intermediate shelves being replaced by channel rails in the grooves of which folders are
suspended. But skeleton racks are both aesthetically and functionally poorer than regular steel
library stacks.
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