Shelving

Sue Dunlap <sdunlap [at] acs__wooster__edu> writes

>I was wondering if someone can point me to some information about
>wooden vs. metal shelving.

I will reinforce the information that has already been posted.
Furthermore, in checking our metal shelves, assuming that the other
postings have moved you away from wooden shelves, make sure that you
get information from the manufacturer about any independent tests
that have been conducted on off-gassing from their metal shelves.
Powder coated shelving on which the power coating has been
electrostatically adhered to the metal should present absolutely no
off-gassing problems as no solvents are involved.  However, in many
of the solvent-adhered, baked enamel metal shelving there are real
off-gassing problems.  However, a number of manufacturers have been
doing testing and supposedly have data showing that there is no
off-gassing problem with their shelving.  Make sure you check.

>From the aesthetics point of view, a number of institutions have
purchased metal shelving and wooded end pieces.  This allows them to
have some wood without having the wood come in direct contact with
the books or other materials.  It seems like a reasonable compromise
that even boards of trustees have been willing to accept.

Gregor Trinkaus-Randall
Preservation Specialist
Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners
648 Beacon Street
Boston, MA 02215-2070
617-267-9400, 800-952-7403 (in-state)
Fax: 617-421-9833

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                  Conservation DistList Instance 12:87
                  Distributed: Thursday, May 13, 1999
                       Message Id: cdl-12-87-003
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