From experience, I second April's comments on vertical systems. They
are a nuisance if a map drops down, or part-down, they certainly don't
seem very space-efficient - you can only go about a metre high - and
the only benefits of the system seem to be to the profits of the firms
who make the beastly things!
Unfortunately many UK libraries equipped themselves with vertical
systems when funding was more generous, back in the 1970s, and we're
lumbered with them.
The main problem with horizontal systems is getting the map at the
bottom of the pile!! But this need not be a great problem if you're
storing maps which aren't consulted that often.
Richard Oliver
Research Fellow in the History of Cartography, and unofficial
connesieur of map- and map-user torture methods
On Wed, 1 Sep 2004 12:39:25 +0100 "Carlucci, April"
<[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Dear Susan
>
> I've used both horizontal (mostly) and vertical (briefly) systems, and what
> can be gained from vertical systems, in my opinion, is damaged maps (torn,
> crumbled, and stabbed, not to mention the damage of attaching the strips
> needed to hang the maps) and shoulder injuries (I never hade trouble with my
> shoulders until...). I would certainly never recommend using vertical
> storage where users would be retrieving and replacing maps themselves, and I
> wouldn't recommend them in any other circumstances. I know some people have
> other opinions, but this has been my experience.
>
> April
> April Carlucci
> Cataloguing Manager and Curator of Modern Maps
> British Library Map Collections
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Susan Tarrant [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: 31 August 2004 11:51
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Space efficient map storage
>
> We are at present involved in a major reorganization of library stock
> and it looks as though our Map Collection may have to be stored in a
> somewhat smaller space. Could any-one recommend a space efficient
> storage method. At the moment we have mainly horizontal storage chests
> with space for laying maps out on top.
>
> Can anything be gained from a vertical storage system?
>
> Many thanks,
>
> Susan Tarrant
> Academic Liaison Librarian: Geography
> Senate House Library
> University of London
> Malet Street
> LONDON WC1E 7HU
> www.shl.lon.ac.uk
> 020 7862 8451
> [log in to unmask]
>
>
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-------------------
Richard Oliver, B.A., D.Phil., F.B.Cart.S.,
School of Geography & Archaeology
University of Exeter
Exeter, EX4 4RJ
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