no.1989-PERIODICALS SHELVING QUESTIONS

From: Lynn F. Sipe <lsipe_at_usc.edu>
Date: Thu, 22 Apr 1999 12:55:23 -0800
To: COLLDV-L_at_usc.edu
[NOTE:  The recent COLLDV-L hiatus was a bit longer than planned, which
usually happens after a vacation.  Also, the last previous posting,
COLLDV-L no. 1988, was misnumbered as no.1983.  LS]
===========================================================================
From: Katina Strauch <strauchk_at_cofc.edu>

The College of Charleston is building a new library for our 10,000 students
(primarily undergraduates) and would like some feedback on location and
servicing of print periodical collections.

In the current building, all print periodicals (current, bound and
microform) are located on the main floor, near the reference desk and
microform reader-printers. There is no service point in the periodicals
area, but reference librarians and the paraprofessionals from the shelving
department assist students in finding issues and using the reader/printers.

Plans for the new library call for
A) Putting all bound periodicals in compact shelving (capacity for 115,000
vols.)
B) Reading area near the current periodicals (2200 subscriptions), and
C) Area for 70 microform cabinets and 10 reader-printers.  (We're assuming
microform is least attractive physically, requires staff assistance and
service, and is likely to grow at the slowest rate over the next 20 years).

In short, we're concerned about creating 2 or even 3 separate locations for
periodicals on a floor the size of a football field.

If you've recently been involved in designing or redesigning a periodicals
area, we'd love to hear what you've done. In how many places does your
library are store journals?  How well has it worked?  What do you wish you
could do differently?  What reactions do you get from users?  Who has
primary responsibility for helping patrons physically locate and use the
periodicals?



Katina Strauch
Head, Collection Development
College of Charleston Libraries
66 George St.
Charleston, SC 29424
843-953-8020, 8008, 8009 (phone)
843-953-8019 (fax)
strauchk_at_cofc.edu
Received on Thu Apr 22 1999 - 12:54:02 EDT