Page 95 - DLIS104_MANAGEMENT OF LIBRARIES AND INFORMATION CENTRES

Management of Libraries and Information Centres

Notes 14.6.2 Card Catalogue Cabinet

This is perhaps the most important piece of equipment in a library used frequently by both the
library staff and the library users. It is a unit of card-filing drawers designed specifically to hold
library cards (7.5 122.5 cm) and equipped with holding rods. This cabinet (and drawers) may be
of wood, steel or the newer plastic material which is finding increased acceptance. The units come
in a range of sizes from four drawers upto as many as sixty. Although readymade metal cabinets,
having drawers right from the floor level are available, for convenience and ease of use, the
cabinets should be placed on stands (60 cm height), and the overall height of the cabinet should not
be more than 1.5 m (eye level). This will accommodate six vertical rows of drawers of 12.8 (W) 7.8
(H) 40 (L) cm dimension. Each tray can hold about 1,000 cards of medium thickness. It is better to
have modular cabinets, each having 24 or 30 drawers, than a monolithic unwieldy piece of furniture.

14.6.3 Bookshelves
Shelving units for libraries are available in wood or metal and need to provide functionality and
flexibility to meet the demands of a busy library.
14.6.4 Charging Desk

The charging desk or the issue counter is the main service desk and should be so designed that all
functions centering in its area can be executed properly. Very seldom this central control desk is
bought from ready stock. Most often it is specially designed keeping in view its special location,
specific function, and the size of the library operations in view. A multiplicity of activities has to
be conducted here. The height of the counter facing the reader is lm. The width at the top is about
70 cm. Enough drawer space is provided to keep all the books and use issue counter records. The
counter should also have adequate shelving space to keep the books which are returned. Normally
the counter is designed for two persons to work at a time. Adequate knee space is provided at
places where the library staff sits and work. Since high chairs are necessary to work at high
counter, foot-rest is provided to make sitting comfortable. Alternatively, counter can be elevated
with wooden or permanent platform. The length and design of the counter vary considerably to
suit the specific need of the library. Some of the common designs are: rectangular, L-shaped, U-
shaped, etc. Whatever design is selected for flexibility, it is better to have small units of 90 cm
length each, which can be bolted together or just placed side by side to give the illusion of one
piece. The counter is invariably made of wood, and usually have hard wearing top made of
declaim or similar material.

14.6.5 Mobile Library Furniture
Book trolleys and mobile library shelving are used to transporting books from one place to
another and are commonly used in multiple usage areas. Trolleys are available in wood and metal
and in standard, ergonomic and slim-line models. A bookcase on wheels, book displays, drawers
and cabinets are other forms of mobile library furniture for flexible use.

Workstations
Workstations for the use of computer and internet access are widely used in universities, schools
and libraries.

Notes All kinds of workstations are available in various designs.

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