Mobile shelving

The University of Botswana Library has acquired mobile shelves on
which its Special Collection material is stored. The special
collection materials consists of different types of collections
including big bound periodicals, bound news papers, spiral bound
thesis, pamphlets, hard cover bound thesis, maps and many more.

In view of space constraints within the Library building, mobile
(compact) as opposed to static shelving is recommended. The library
has lately acquired mobile shelves to address the issue of
protection to the collection from disasters more especially fire and
water. The collection in Special collection is frequently accessed
by researchers on daily bases and this has resulted into few
challenges. These include the following;

    During frequent accession, when opening shelves books fall apart
    from shelves.

    It is a bit dark to clearly identify collection call numbers on
    materials requested even when the shelves are open and lights
    are switched on.

    Book ends tend to fall off on sides not holding collection in
    one position.

Spiral bound collections are very difficult to hold in place at the
ends and this is experienced also in open shelves. The spiral bound
books tend to unwind and get tangled together and the collection
bends and fall off.

    Pamphlets are bent, torn and easily fall off from shelves.

Kindly assist with your views on solving these issues of shelving in
the mobile shelves

T. Segaetsho  (BSc, PgDip, MA Conservation)
University of Botswana Library Service
+267 355 5153
Mobile: +267 73427639


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 27:8
                 Distributed: Thursday, August 8, 2013
                        Message Id: cdl-27-8-025
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