College and Research Libraries V B y R O B E R T H . M U L L E R Compact Storage Equipment: Where to Use it and Where Not Dr. Muller, formerly director of li- braries, Southern Illinois University, is now assistant director of libraries, Univer- sity of Michigan. T HE IDEA t h a t y o u c a n p a c k t w i c e as m a n y b o o k s i n t o a g i v e n floor a r e a as is p o s s i b l e u n d e r c o n v e n t i o n a l s t a c k s h e l v - i n g a p p e a l s to l i b r a r i a n s . M a n y l i b r a r i a n s , f a c e d w i t h the n e c e s s i t y of h a v i n g to p r o v i d e m o r e a n d m o r e s h e l v i n g s p a c e f o r i n c r e a s - i n g n u m b e r s of a c q u i s i t i o n s , h a v e been a t t r a c t e d by t h e a n n o u n c e m e n t of s e v e r a l m a n u f a c t u r e r s t h a t it is n o w p o s s i b l e to d o u b l e o r , in s o m e cases, m o r e t h a n d o u b l e t h e s t a c k c a p a c i t y of a l i b r a r y . A l t h o u g h p o s s i b i l i t i e s f o r c o m p a c t s t o r a g e h a v e been e x p l o r e d since t h e d a y s of M e l v i l D e w e y a n d e x p e r i m e n t a t i o n c a n be t r a c e d to the e a r l y n i n e t i e s of the n i n e t e e n t h cen- t u r y , 1 it h a s o n l y been since 1 9 5 0 t h a t c o m - p a c t s t o r a g e e q u i p m e n t h a s been w i d e l y e x h i b i t e d , a d v e r t i s e d , a n d i n s t a l l e d . F o u r m a n u f a c t u r e r s a r e c u r r e n t l y c o m p e t i n g w i t h e a c h o t h e r in t h i s f i e l d , 2 a n d t w o o t h e r s a r e l i k e l y t o e n t e r the a r e n a b e f o r e v e r y l o n g . 3 F a c e d w i t h c o m p e t i n g a n d c o n f l i c t i n g c l a i m s , l i b r a r i a n s as p o t e n t i a l c u s t o m e r s m a y t e n d to b e c o m e b e w i l d e r e d . S h o u l d t h e y c o n s i d e r t h i s t y p e of e q u i p m e n t a t a l l ? W i l l it i n c r e a s e o r d e c r e a s e s e r v i c e c o s t s ? 1 Rider, Fremont. Compact Book Storage. New York. Hadham Press, 1 9 4 9 , p. 30. 2 W . R. Ames Company, San Francisco, Calif.; Art Metal Manufacturing Company, Jamestown, N . Y . ; Hamilton Manufacturing Company, Two Rivers, W i s . ; Remington Rand, Inc., New York. 3 Globe-Wernicke Company, Cincinnati, Ohio; Virginia Metal Products Company, Orange, Va. H o w w i l l l i b r a r y p a t r o n s r e a c t t o t h e e q u i p m e n t ? W i l l w e r e a l l y s a v e a n y m o n e y in the l o n g r u n ? I f w e d e c i d e t o g o i n t o c o m p a c t s t o r a g e e q u i p m e n t , w h i c h t y p e s h o u l d w e s e l e c t ? W i l l t h e e q u i p m e n t s t a n d u p u n d e r w e a r ? S h o u l d w e n o t r a t h e r w a i t u n t i l o t h e r s h a v e m a d e m i s - t a k e s ? I n s t u d y i n g c o m p a c t s t o r a g e i n s t a l - l a t i o n s , w h a t a s p e c t s s h o u l d w e f o c u s a t t e n t i o n o n ? W h a t a b o u t s t o r a g e w a r e - h o u s e s a n d c o o p e r a t i v e s t o r a g e w a r e h o u s e s in r e l a t i o n to c o m p a c t s t o r a g e e q u i p m e n t ? I n t h i s b r i e f r e p o r t , w e s h a l l n o t t r y to a n s w e r a l l these q u e s t i o n s . W e s h a l l as- s u m e t h a t y o u h a v e l o o k e d at a n d p o n d e r e d o v e r t h e e q u i p m e n t o f f e r e d b y d i f f e r e n t m a n u f a c t u r e r s a n d h a v e d e c i d e d to g i v e t h e m s e r i o u s c o n s i d e r a t i o n . I n s t e a d of t r y - i n g to t e l l y o u w h i c h of the f o u r s y s t e m s of c o m p a c t s t o r a g e is best, w e s h a l l m e r e l y g i v e b r i e f d e s c r i p t i o n s of the e q u i p m e n t , i n d i c a t e t h e d e g r e e of c o m p a c t n e s s t h e y c a n a c h i e v e u n d e r i d e n t i c a l c o n d i t i o n s , a n d s u g g e s t w h e r e s u c h c o m p a c t b o o k s t o r a g e e q u i p m e n t m i g h t be u s e d t o a d v a n t a g e a n d w h e r e it s h o u l d n o t be u s e d . T h e c a l c u l a t i o n s of t h e d e g r e e of c o m - p a c t n e s s , e x p r e s s e d in t e r m s of i n c r e a s e in s t o r a g e c a p a c i t y , a r e b a s e d u p o n l a y o u t d r a w i n g s of e q u i p m e n t in a r e a s o b s t r u c t e d o n l y b y u n i f o r m l y p l a c e d c o l u m n s 2 3 f e e t on c e n t e r s , w i t h s t a c k r a n g e s in a f r e e - s t a n d i n g a r r a n g e m e n t . W e a s s u m e d t h a t n o shelf s e c t i o n w o u l d h a v e m o r e t h a n 7 l e v e l s of s h e l v e s o r d r a w e r s . ( 1 ) T h e compact s t o r a g e system a d v o - cated by Remington Rand employs f o u r - 300 COLLEGE AND RESEARCH LIBRARIES w a y stack columns to make it possible to turn the direction of stack ranges by 90 degrees; it achieves compactness through aisle reduction f r o m a width of about 36 inches to 20 inches and elimination of a center aisle. If no center aisles or cross aisles are provided both before and a f t e r the change, storage capacity can be in- creased by about 4 0 % . T h e claim made in advertisements that storage capacity can be increased by 6 9 % is true only if you as- sume a relatively comfortable provision of aisles b e f o r e the change and no cross aisles a f t e r the change. ( 2 ) T h e Ames S t o r - M o r B o o k units consist of double-headed d r a w e r s , approxi- mately 6 f e e t in length, having a d r a w e r - head at each end. T h e d r a w e r s are de- signed to bridge alternate aisles in a stack area making use of the existing stack columns, but the d r a w e r s can also be used in a free-standing arrangement. T h e length of the d r a w e r runs perpendicular to the length of conventional shelving. T h e shelves are adjustable by means of bolts. T h e width of the d r a w e r is approximately 18 inches, occupying one-half of the space of the conventional book s h e l f ; two d r a w e r s are placed side by side to occupy the 3 foot section provided f o r book shelves. T h i s type of d r a w e r makes use of the conven- tional pattern of stack columns f o r its support and does not require additional supports. T h e additional dead loads im- posed by the weight of the d r a w e r unit and the increased number of books which they c a r r y are transmitted to the existing stack columns. M u l t i - t i e r construction can, therefore, be converted f r o m conventional shelving to compact storage d r a w e r s w i t h - out providing additional structural f r a m - ing to the extent that the existing stack columns are capable of carrying the in- creased loads. T h e d r a w e r accommodates t w o r o w s of books f o r its entire length. Contents are identified by 3 " x 5 " cards, t w o card holders being provided on each d r a w e r head. In a free-standing a r r a n g e - ment w h e r e no cross aisles are provided, storage capacity can be increased by 7 6 . 2 % , assuming range aisles of 43 inches in width and the use of book supports to separate the t w o halves of each double-headed d r a w e r . If no book supports are used and if conventional w a l l shelving is used in conjunction with the A m e s units, storage capacity can be increased to 9 0 . 1 % as com- pared to conventional shelving alone. ( 3 ) Hamilton Compo units consist of single-headed d r a w e r s , available in lengths varying f r o m about 3 to 4 feet and in widths varying f r o m 18 to 26 inches, sup- ported by f o u r - w a y stack uprights, making conversion f r o m conventional to compact storage easily possible. A l l sliding shelves are individually adjustable vertically on 1 - inch centers without the use of bolts, nuts, or loose parts. In a free-standing a r r a n g e - ment w h e r e no cross aisles are provided, storage capacity can be increased by I 0 9 - 3 % > assuming range aisles of 46 inches in width. ( 4 ) Art Metal swing units consist of t w o hinged shelf sections placed in f r o n t of each r e g u l a r adjustable shelf section; each swing unit occupies a little less than one-half of the length of a r e g u l a r shelf section, permitting the swing units to open out into the range aisle, thus exposing to view the shelves that are hidden when the swing units are closed. I t is possible to place either 4 or 8 swing units ( a single or a double r o w of shelf sections) on both sides of a r e g u l a r shelf section. I n a f r e e - standing arrangement with 4 swing units, capacity can be increased by 5 2 . 9 % , assum- ing range aisles of 28.5 inches in width. W i t h 8 swing units, capacity can be in- creased by 7 3 . 4 % , assuming range aisles of 38 inches in width. T a b l e I is i n c l u d e d to s h o w h o w the above p e r c e n t a g e s w e r e o b t a i n e d . B e f o r e e n u m e r a t i n g the uses of the com- pact s t o r a g e e q u i p m e n t j u s t described, w e m u s t a t t e m p t to c l a r i f y the one question that is of c r u c i a l significance, n a m e l y : W i l l the i n s t a l l a t i o n of c o m p a c t s t o r a g e equip- m e n t enable l i b r a r i a n s to b r i n g about any o v e r a l l e c o n o m y in book s t o r a g e costs ? B e f o r e c o m p a c t s t o r a g e became w i d e l y a v a i l a b l e , F r e m o n t R i d e r stated that " t h e o n l y place w h e r e s a v i n g s w o u l d be a f f e c t e d w o u l d be in the a m o u n t ( p e r book s t o r e d ) of the stack b u i l d i n g shell w h i c h w o u l d JULY, 1954 301 T A B L E I C a p a c i t y I n c r e a s e s f o r D i f f e r e n t C o m p a c t S t o r a g e P l a n s W i t h F r e e - S t a n d i n g S t a c k s f o r an A r e a M e a s u r i n g 2 3 F e e t b y 2 3 F e e t T^ N o . o f N o . o f A- , u n i t s L i n e a l A i s l e s 1 r. f i n r h e ^ P e r f t " P e r (.inches; ( M a x i m u m ) u n i t G a i n N o . o f N o . o f o v e r P e r c e n t - v o l . p e r v o l . p e r c o n v e n - a g e u n i t b a y t i o n a l g a i n s h e l v i n g C o n v e n t i o n a l s h e l v i n g 8" s h e l v e s A i s l e R e d u c t i o n P l a n , M o d e r a t e , 8" s h e l v e s A i s l e R e d u c t i o n P l a n , S e v e r e , 8 " s h e l v e s A r t M e t a l , 4 s w i n g u n i t s , 8 " s h e l v e s ( F i g . 1 ) * A r t M e t a l , 8 s w i n g u n i t s , 8" s h e l v e s ( F i g . 2 ) A m e s , d o u b l e r a n g e d r a w e r s w i t h b o o k s u p p o r t s ( F i g . 3 ) A m e s , d o u b l e r a n g e d r a w e r s w i t h o u t b o o k s u p p o r t s p l u s c o n v e n t i o n a l s h e l v e s a t e n d w a l l s H a m i l t o n d r a w e r s 1 8 " w i d e , 3 ' - i o " d e e p , 7 r o w s o f s h e l v e s ( F i g . 4 ) 3 8 . 7 3 5 4 1 . 1 2 4 7 8 , 6 4 5 — — 2 9 . 5 4 2 4 1 . 1 2 4 7 i o , 3 7 4 1 , 7 2 9 2 0 . 0 2 2 . 9 4 9 4 1 . 1 2 4 7 1 2 , 1 0 3 3 , 4 5 8 4 0 . 0 2 8 . 5 28 7 8 . 4 4 7 2 1 3 , 2 1 6 4 , 5 7 1 5 2 . 9 3 8 . 0 2 1 1 1 9 . 0 7 1 4 J 4 , 9 9 4 6 , 3 4 9 7 3 - 4 4 3 - ° 1 5 5 - 5 896 1 5 , 2 3 2 6 , 5 8 7 7 6 . 2 4 3 1 7 p l u s 1 5 5 - 5 9 3 3 1 6 , 4 3 7 7 , 7 9 2 9 0 . 1 4 . 7 s i n g l e - ( A m e s ) ( A m e s ) f a c e d b r a c k e t 2 0 . 5 1 2 3 . 5 s e c t i o n s ( b r a c k e t ) ( b r a c k e t ) 4 6 . 0 58 5 2 . 1 3 1 2 1 8 , 0 9 6 9 , 4 5 r 1 0 9 . 3 * Figures follow article. be r e q u i r e d ; and t h o u g h this s a v i n g m i g h t be m a t e r i a l , the e x t r a cost of the stack i n s t a l l a t i o n in it w o u l d p r o b a b l y m o r e t h a n o f f s e t the s a v i n g . W h a t w e h a v e here a g a i n , in o t h e r w o r d s , is a g r e a t e r c o m p a c t - ness, but no o v e r a l l e c o n o m y . " 4 I f this s t a t e m e n t of F r e m o n t R i d e r ' s is t r u e , then t h e r e m a y be n o r e a l a d v a n t a g e in u s i n g c o m p a c t s t o r a g e . T o a n s w e r the question as to w h e t h e r o v e r a l l s a v i n g s can be a c h i e v e d t h r o u g h c o m p a c t s t o r a g e equip- m e n t , w e m u s t keep in m i n d that there a r e b a s i c a l l y t w o f a c t o r s i n v o l v e d : ( 1 ) T h e cost of the c o m p a c t s t o r a g e e q u i p m e n t a n d ( 2 ) the cost of the b u i l d i n g floor a r e a t h a t has been s a v e d t h r o u g h the use of c o m p a c t s t o r a g e e q u i p m e n t . I f the c o n s t r u c t i o n cost of the s a v e d floor a r e a is about the same as the p u r c h a s e p r i c e of the c o m p a c t s t o r a g e e q u i p m e n t , then there m a y be no g r e a t ad- v a n t a g e in g o i n g into c o m p a c t s t o r a g e e q u i p m e n t . L e t us a s s u m e that w e need to s h e l v e 4 Rider, op. cit., p. 34. 1 0 0 , 0 0 0 v o l u m e s at 6 v o l u m e s per l i n e a l f o o t w i t h c o n v e n t i o n a l b r a c k e t - t y p e shelv- i n g a n d w i t h stack aisles t h a t are about 3 f t . w i d e but no cross aisles. T o shelve 1 0 0 , 0 0 0 v o l u m e s w i l l r e q u i r e 6 , 1 1 9 sq. f t . A t a b u i l d i n g cost of a b o u t $ 1 5 a sq. f t . , w h i c h is a b o u t w h a t n o n - a i r - c o n d i t i o n e d b u i l d i n g s w i t h o u t e q u i p m e n t w o u l d cost in 1 9 5 4 , 6 , 1 1 9 sq. f t . w i l l cost $ 9 1 , 7 8 5 . T o this f i g u r e s h o u l d be a d d e d the cost of c o n v e n t i o n a l b r a c k e t - t y p e s h e l v i n g f o r 1 0 0 , 0 0 c v o l u m e s , w h i c h is estimated to be a b o u t $ 1 5 , 3 0 0 , y i e l d i n g a t o t a l of $ 1 0 7 , 0 8 5 . L e t us n o w see w h a t w e can g a i n w i t h c o m p a c t s t o r a g e e q u i p m e n t , a n d let us select the H a m i l t o n C o m p o s t a c k s f o r purposes of d e m o n s t r a t i o n . W h e n We use H a m i l t o n C o m p o stacks, instead of r e q u i r i n g a floor a r e a of 6 , 1 1 9 SQ* f t . , w e s h a l l need o n l y 2 , 9 2 3 sq. f t . H e n c e the cost of the floor a r e a w i l l be o n l y $ 4 3 , 8 4 5 ( a s a g a i n s t $ 9 1 , 7 8 5 u n d e r c o n v e n t i o n a l s h e l v i n g ) . T o this f i g u r e , w e m u s t n o w a d d the cost of the H a m i l t o n C o m p o u n i t s f o r 1 0 0 , 0 0 0 302 COI.LEGE AND RESEARCH LIBRARIES v o l u m e s , w h i c h w i l l a m o u n t to a p p r o x i - m a t e l y $ 5 3 , 6 6 7 , y i e l d i n g a t o t a l of $ 9 7 , 5 1 2 . T h e c o m b i n e d cost of s h e l v i n g plus b u i l d - ing c o n s t r u c t i o n , as w e 'have j u s t s h o w n , w i l l be $ 1 0 7 , 0 8 5 f o r c o n v e n t i o n a l b r a c k e t - type s h e l v i n g , but o n l y $ 9 7 , 5 1 2 w i t h the use of H a m i l t o n C o m p o stacks. T h e sav- ing achieved t h r o u g h the use. of c o m p a c t s t o r a g e e q u i p m e n t is thus $ 9 , 5 7 3 , o r not quite 9 % of the cost of c o n v e n t i o n a l shelv- ing. T h i s s a v i n g of 9 % looks a g r e a t deal less i m p r e s s i v e t h a n the c l a i m s m a d e in ad- v e r t i s e m e n t s that y o u can double or m o r e than double s t o r a g e c a p a c i t y . I t is t r u e t h a t y o u c a n d o u b l e y o u r s t o r a g e c a p a c i t y , but it is e q u a l l y t r u e that y o u c a n n o t cut y o u r t o t a l book s t o r a g e cost in half t h r o u g h com- pact s t o r a g e e q u i p m e n t at present price l e v e l s . I n a b u i l d i n g costing a b o u t $ 1 5 a sq. f t . , the most w e can e x p e c t is an o v e r a l l economy of 9 % , a s s u m i n g a t i g h t l y packed a r r a n g e m e n t w i t h no cross aisles or stack stairs a n d w i t h stack sections f r e e - s t a n d i n g . I n m u l t i p l e - t i e r stacks, the s a v i n g s achieva- ble t h r o u g h c o m p a c t s t o r a g e e q u i p m e n t m a y be close to 2 0 % ; a n d in u n u s u a l l y e x p e n - sive a i r - c o n d i t i o n e d b u i l d i n g s , the o v e r a l l s a v i n g s m i g h t r u n as high as 2 5 to 3 0 % . 5 I n most cases, 2 5 % is p r o b a b l y the m a x i - m u m o v e r a l l e c o n o m y that can be achieved t h r o u g h the use of c u r r e n t l y a v a i l a b l e com- pact s t o r a g e e q u i p m e n t at present price levels ( S e e F i g u r e 5 ) . F r e m o n t R i d e r ' s prediction that no o v e r - a l l e c o n o m y is l i k e l y to be achieved t h r o u g h the use of c o m p a c t s t o r a g e e q u i p m e n t , there- f o r e , r e q u i r e s some m o d i f i c a t i o n in the l i g h t of o u r cost analysis. W e m u s t a d m i t t h a t some o v e r a l l economy can n o w be a c h i e v e d , but t h a t the s a v i n g s w i l l not be o v e r 2 5 % in most cases a n d that t h e y w i l l u s u a l l y be 5 F o r a more detailed analysis of the relationship be- tween the relative expensiveness of a library building and the combined cost of building construction plus shelving, see the author's " E v a l u a t i o n of Compact Book Storage S y s t e m s , " in the Proceedings of the 3rd A C R L L i b r a r y Building P l a n s Institute, Madison, Wisconsin, i n ACRL MONOGRAPHS. NO. I I , p u b l i s h e d b y t h e A s s o - ciation of College and R e f e r e n c e L i b r a r i e s , Chicago, S p r i n g , 1954. less. F u r t h e r m o r e , w e should a d d to the s a v i n g s a c h i e v a b l e in the combined cost of floor a r e a c o n s t r u c t i o n and s h e l v i n g , c e r t a i n a d d i t i o n a l s a v i n g s that a r e m o r e d i f f i c u l t t o express in precise t e r m s of d o l l a r s and cents. C o m p a c t s t o r a g e w i l l p r o d u c e s a v i n g s in ( 1 ) l i g h t i n g i n s t a l l a t i o n and m a i n t e n a n c e , ( 2 ) the i n s t a l l a t i o n of floor c o v e r i n g and floor m a i n t e n a n c e , ( 3 ) the cost of h a u l i n g books to the d e l i v e r y desk a n d r e t u r n i n g them, ( 4 ) the i n s t a l l a t i o n and m a i n t e n a n c e of h e a t i n g and v e n t i l a t i n g e q u i p m e n t , a n d ( 5 ) j a n i t o r i a l m a i n t e n a n c e . T h e s e s a v i n g s in cost m u s t be b a l a n c e d a g a i n s t disad- v a n t a g e s a l l e g e d l y associated w i t h c o m p a c t s t o r a g e e q u i p m e n t : ( 1 ) B o o k s a r e less d i r e c t l y accessible. ( 2 ) M o v a b l e p a r t s m a y r e q u i r e m a i n t e n a n c e . ( 3 ) M o v i n g of d r a w e r s or hinged doors m a y cause noise. ( 4 ) S h e l v i n g , s h i f t i n g , and c o l l e c t i n g of books m a y r e q u i r e m o r e time a n d motion and m a y , t h e r e f o r e , i n v o l v e g r e a t e r l a b o r costs. ( 5 ) D r a w e r s a n d h i n g e d doors m a y block aisles and become h a z a r d s , c a u s i n g accidents. ( 6 ) T i m e m a y h a v e to be ex- pended in t e a c h i n g l i b r a r y users w h o are n o t m e c h a n i c a l l y inclined h o w to o p e r a t e d r a w e r s or hinged doors w i t h s a f e t y . ( 7 ) C o m p a c t s t o r a g e units are p e r h a p s not too p r a c t i c a l in open stacks despite c l a i m s to the c o n t r a r y . L i b r a r i a n s w h o f e e l t h a t the disad- v a n t a g e s of c o m p a c t s t o r a g e e q u i p m e n t out- w e i g h the a d v a n t a g e s are not l i k e l y to re- sort to c o m p a c t s t o r a g e unless f o r c e d to do so by conditions o v e r w h i c h they h a v e no c o n t r o l . L e t us b r i e f l y e n u m e r a t e a n d dis- cuss some of the conditions u n d e r w h i c h c o m p a c t s t o r a g e e q u i p m e n t m i g h t be used in p r e f e r e n c e to c o n v e n t i o n a l b r a c k e t - t y p e s h e l v i n g : ( 1 ) If a library is located w h e r e the land value is v e r y high and w h e r e vertical build- ing expansion is impossible, the cost of con- struction of a horizontal library extension might be so high that it w o u l d be considered out of the question. I n cases of this sort JULY, 1954 303 and also in cases w h e r e land is simply not available at w h a t e v e r cost, the use of com- pact storage equipment may be the only solution to the problem of providing more shelf space. ( 2 ) If the storage capacity of a given room in a l i b r a r y must be expanded, but there is no opportunity f o r enlarging the room and weeding is out of the ques- tion, compact storage equipment may be the a n s w e r . C o m p a c t storage equipment may be suitable as w a l l shelving in such situations as w e l l as f o r a solid block of stacks, provided that the floor strength is sufficient f o r the added load. ( 3 ) I n situations w h e r e f u n d s f o r a sub- stantial building expansion are not likely to be available f o r some time to come, yet the stacks are completely filled, it may be possible to achieve some temporary relief, possibly on an annual basis, by means of installing compact storage equipment a f e w sections at a time. T h r o u g h such g r a d u a l expansion of the shelving space, it may be possible to provide all the space that is needed periodically until f u n d s f o r a build- ing expansion become available. ( 4 ) I n libraries with free-standing stacks, it is a l w a y s possible to reduce the width of aisles between ranges to a mini- mum of 20 to 22 inches. Such aisle reduc- tion with conventional shelving is also pos- sible w h e r e fixed supporting columns are used if they are coverted into f o u r - w a y columns as advocated by Remington R a n d , * Incorporated. A i s l e reduction w i l l increase storage capacity by a m a x i m u m of 4 0 % and at a relatively l o w cost; it is probably the least expensive type of compact storage. ( 5 ) If a l i b r a r y building is extremely ex- pensive, say with a v e r a g e square foot costs of between $ 2 5 and $ 5 0 , the relative savings obtained through compact storage equipment (as against building expansion) might be sizable. F o r such buildings, compact stor- age equipment might be suitable. ( 6 ) I n situations w h e r e the appearance of the l i b r a r y building is an important f a c t o r and w h e r e either vertical or horizontal ex- pansion w o u l d spoil the architectural style, book storage capacity might best be in- creased through the use of compact storage equipment. W e m a y n o w ask o u r s e l v e s w h e r e com- pact s t o r a g e e q u i p m e n t s h o u l d not be u s e d : ( 1 ) M a n y l i b r a r i a n s w o u l d p r o b a b l y o b j e c t to the use of c o m p a c t s t o r a g e e q u i p m e n t f o r open stacks, except f o r little-used col- lections. H o w e v e r , c o m p a c t s t o r a g e has been used f o r open stacks. ( 2 ) W h e n the l i b r a r y b u i l d i n g in question is a v e r y cheap b u i l d i n g , say one that costs $ 1 0 o r less per s q u a r e f o o t , the use of c o m p a c t s t o r a g e e q u i p m e n t w o u l d most l i k e l y increase the combined cost of b u i l d i n g c o n s t r u c t i o n and s h e l v i n g . I n such cases it w o u l d be better to c o n s t r u c t a b u i l d i n g extension and equip it w i t h c o n v e n t i o n a l stacks t h a n to i n s t a l l c o m p a c t s t o r a g e e q u i p m e n t in the old build- ing- ( 3 ) O b v i o u s l y , w h e r e base f o o t i n g s a n d / o r floors are n o t s t r o n g e n o u g h to s u p p o r t c o m p a c t s t o r a g e e q u i p m e n t f i l l e d w i t h books, the use of such e q u i p m e n t w o u l d be out of the question. F o r f r e e - s t a n d i n g stacks, floors s h o u l d p r o b a b l y be s t r o n g e n o u g h to s u p p o r t an a v e r a g e l i v e w e i g h t of about 1 6 5 p o u n d s per s q u a r e f o o t f o r c o m p a c t s t o r a g e . F l o o r s of r e a d i n g r o o m s in t y p i c a l l i b r a r y b u i l d i n g s do not g e n e r a l l y h a v e such s t r e n g t h c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s , and the i n s t a l l a t i o n of c o m p a c t s t o r a g e stacks w o u l d , t h e r e f o r e , c o n s t i t u t e a h a z a r d . ( 4 ) W h e n e v e r little-used books can be s e g r e g a t e d a n d s e p a r a t e l y s h e l v e d on con- v e n t i o n a l a d j u s t a b l e shelves in an i n e x p e n - sive w a r e h o u s e or c o o p e r a t i v e l i b r a r y stor- a g e center, it w i l l p r o b a b l y p r o v e to be the least e x p e n s i v e type of s t o r a g e ; and c o m p a c t s t o r a g e e q u i p m e n t s h o u l d not be selected f o r such s i t u a t i o n s . S U M M A R Y A N D C O N C L U S I O N S T h e question of w h e r e to use c o m p a c t s t o r a g e stacks a n d w h e r e not to use it is l i k e l y to c o n t i n u e to be a c o n t r o v e r s i a l ques- tion. T a k i n g all f a c t o r s into c o n s i d e r a t i o n , c o m p a c t s t o r a g e e q u i p m e n t can achieve some o v e r a l l e c o n o m y . W h e t h e r the sav- i n g s o u t w e i g h c e r t a i n a l l e g e d d i s a d v a n t a g e s of c o m p a c t s t o r a g e e q u i p m e n t c a n n o t be c a t e g o r i c a l l y a n s w e r e d but w i l l depend 304 COI.LEGE AND RESEARCH LIBRARIES upon i n d i v i d u a l j u d g m e n t in specific situa- tions. T h e r e are situations in w h i c h the use of c o m p a c t s t o r a g e e q u i p m e n t seems ad- v i s a b l e ; there are o t h e r situations w h e r e the use of such e q u i p m e n t c a n n o t be recom- m e n d e d . L i b r a r i e s w i t h closed stacks m a y find t h a t c o n v e r t i n g the s t a c k s to c o m p a c t s t o r a g e m a y cost a p p r e c i a b l y less than c o n s t r u c t i n g a stack extension a n d e q u i p p i n g it w i t h c o n v e n t i o n a l shelf sections. L i b r a r i a n s s h o u l d , h o w e v e r , not be m i s l e d into t h i n k - i n g that by m o r e than d o u b l i n g the s t o r a g e c a p a c i t y they can cut the o v e r a l l cost of book s t o r a g e in h a l f . C l a i m s and c o u n t e r c l a i m s that h a v e been m a d e by the m a n u f a c t u r e r s m a y be b r i e f l y s u m m a r i z e d to g u i d e ( o r c o n f u s e ) prospec- tive p u r c h a s e r s of compact s t o r a g e i n s t a l l a - tions : ( i ) R e m i n g t o n R a n d r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s claim t h a t , as o r i g i n a t o r s of the v e r t i c a l file, they c a n m a n u f a c t u r e d r a w e r - t y p e stacks at a n y time they see fit; but they f e e l that l a c k of p r o p e r m a i n t e n a n c e and insufficient evenness of floors w i l l cause m a l f u n c t i o n i n g of such e q u i p m e n t in li- b r a r i e s o v e r the y e a r s a n d that r e p l a c e m e n t p a r t s m a y not be a v a i l a b l e in y e a r s to come w h e n a m a n u f a c t u r e r m a y h a v e discon- tinued his p r o d u c t . T h e y f e e l that t h e i r scheme y i e l d s the g r e a t e s t o v e r a l l s a v i n g s . ( 2 ) A m e s r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s stress the t r o u b l e - f r e e easy operation of their d r a w e r s , the h e a v y - g a g e steel c o n s t r u c t i o n that p e r m i t s users to s t a n d on d r a w e r s w i t h o u t c a u s i n g a p e r m a n e n t set in the steel, and their d r a w e r - l a b e l l i n g system. T h e y f e e l that q u a l i t y of c o n s t r u c t i o n and ease of opera- tion are m o r e i m p o r t a n t than a c h i e v i n g the m a x i m u m increase in s t o r a g e c a p a c i t y . ( 3 ) H a m i l t o n r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s f e e l their p r o d u c t is the most flexible, the m o s t a d a p t a b l e , and the m o s t easily a d j u s t a b l e of a l l c o m p a c t s t o r a g e types. I n their opinion, o t h e r types f a i l to achieve a sufficient in- crease in s t o r a g e c a p a c i t y to j u s t i f y the designation of c o m p a c t stacks. T h e y f e e l t h a t the d i s a d v a n t a g e s a l l e g e d l y associated w i t h the use of c o m p a c t s t o r a g e stacks either do n o t a p p l y to their p r o d u c t or a r e not serious. T h e y believe that t h e i r de- sign " w i l l in the l o n g r u n p r o v e a m o s t s a t i s f a c t o r y usable stack f o r p r a c t i c a l l y e v e r y type of stack u s a g e , " both in closed a n d open stacks. T h e y f e e l that the ad- v a n t a g e s of their p r o d u c t as c o m p a r e d to c o n v e n t i o n a l s h e l v i n g are so g r e a t that cost c o n s i d e r a t i o n s h o u l d not receive p r i m a r y a t t e n t i o n . T h e y also point out t h a t stack aisles of less than 3 f e e t in w i d t h v i o l a t e fire and s a f e t y l a w s in, at least, one state. ( 4 ) A r t M e t a l r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s h a v e not been so a r t i c u l a t e as the other companies in m a k i n g c l a i m s f o r their p r o d u c t ; they m a y f e e l that their s w i n g u n i t s speak f o r t h e m - selves especially as f a r as ease of m e c h a n i c a l m a i n t e n a n c e and operation a r e c o n c e r n e d . A f t e r a l i b r a r i a n has decided to use com- pact s t o r a g e e q u i p m e n t , he w i l l h a v e to choose a m o n g the a v a i l a b l e p r o d u c t s . I n m a k i n g his choice he w i l l be g u i d e d in his e v a l u a t i o n by such f a c t o r s as the f o l l o w i n g : ( 1 ) C o s t of s h e l v i n g p e r l i n e a l f o o t ; ( 2 ) m e c h a n i c a l f u n c t i o n i n g of the e q u i p m e n t ; ( 3 ) ^ r e l a t i v e accessibility and v i s i b i l i t y of the b o o k s ; ( 4 ) efficiency in s h e l v i n g , col- l e c t i n g , and s h i f t i n g of b o o k s ; ( 5 ) ease of shelf l a b e l i n g ; ( 6 ) a d a p t a b i l i t y of the e q u i p m e n t to the floor a r e a dimensions u n d e r c o n s i d e r a t i o n ; ( 7 ) a d j u s t a b i l i t y of shelves or d r a w e r s ; ( 8 ) h a z a r d s a n d s a f e t y f e a t u r e s ; ( 9 ) r e l a t i v e quietness or noise- ness in o p e r a t i o n ; ( 1 0 ) a p p e a r a n c e ; ( 1 1 ) a d a p t a b i l i t y to non-book u s e r s ; ( 1 2 ) re- c o n v e r t i b i l i t y to n o n - c o m p a c t s t o r a g e . I n o t h e r w o r d s , w h a t is needed is an o b j e c t i v e a n d i m p a r t i a l c o n s u m e r research s t u d y of c o m p a c t s t o r a g e e q u i p m e n t . I t is hoped t h a t such a s t u d y w i l l soon be published. 6 6 A detailed comparative study of the Ames, Art Metal, and Hamilton unit by Miss Grace E. Kite, Chief of the Circulation Division at Southern Illinois University Li- braries, is under way and will be published soon. JULY, 1954 305 o t ^ fcl b T*3 03 t*a t d h< t o fc! >3 •-H t*J Co M A X I M U M C A P A C I T Y L A Y O U T A R T M E T A L t SWItJG UNITS F i g u r e 2' M A X I M U M C A P A C I T Y L A Y O U T A M E S F i g u r e 3 F i g u r e 4 JULY, 1954 307 TOTAL BLDG PLUS SHELVING COST IN RELATION TO BLDG COST PER SQ. FT. FOR lOO^OOO V O L U M E S COMPARISON OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF SHELVING »200i000 160,000 160,000 140,000 120,000 100,000 80,000 60,000 40,000 2 0 P 0 0 L E G E N D — 1 1 BRACKET-TYPE 38.7"AISLES BRACKET-TYPE 2 9 ^"AISLES BRACKET-TYPE 22./AISLES ART METAL 4 SWtftG UNITS ART METAL • SWING UNITS AMES UNITS H « — HAMILTON UNITS 30 BLDG COST PER SQUARE FOOT Figure 5 On the Survey of a Research Library by Scholars (Continued from page 2Qi) i n g f e a t u r e s seem w o r t h y of note. I t w a s a s u r v e y m a d e " n o t by the d i s t r i b u t o r s of books but by the users of books. . . . I t represents an a p p r a i s a l of the l i b r a r y collec- tions of the U n i v e r s i t y by the e x p e r t s in the s e v e r a l f i e l d s of k n o w l e d g e represented on the U n i v e r s i t y f a c u l t i e s . " T h o u g h it w a s m a i n l y c o n f i n e d to the l i b r a r i e s of the U n i - v e r s i t y of P e n n s y l v a n i a , it o c c a s i o n a l l y reaches out and c a l l s a t t e n t i o n to o t h e r i m p o r t a n t collections in the P h i l a d e l p h i a a r e a . I t is designed to be d e f i n i t e and f a c t u a l a n d to r e v e a l w e a k n e s s e s as w e l l as s t r e n g t h . T h o u g h it c a n n o t be c l a i m e d t h a t the sin of s e l f - g l o r i f i c a t i o n has been w h o l l y a v o i d e d , it p e r h a p s comes as n e a r to o b j e c t i v i t y as could be hoped f o r in a n y s e l f - s u r v e y . 308 COI.LEGE AND RESEARCH LIBRARIES