Haymond, Jeana
Fall 2016

Citation:   Sun, H. C., & Chen, K. N. (2012). A proposed model for library stacks management. Library Collections, Acquisitions, and Technical Services, 36(1-2), 24-29. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.lcats.2012.04.001

Summary: An interesting approach to Stacks Management. The authors suggest creating a new model - three book stacks areas known as the “parent-child-grandchild” model. One large section (“parent”), a medium section (“child”), and a smaller section (“grandchild”). The library’s entire collection would be housed in the three collections. The larger “parent” section would house 90% of the collection - those items that have not checked out in the past year, preferably in a compact storage mode on or off site. Stacks can be taller and more compact as this collection will not be browsable to patrons. The “child” section would look like the regular stacks, and will include books that are borrowed more frequently. These books are not arranged by call number, rather by RFID tags and are thus shelved wherever there is space. Once a book is placed on the shelf, the RFID in the book lets the shelf know where it is and the shelf communicates the books “address” to the location portion of the catalog record. Thus informing patrons as to where in the stacks to find the book. The smallest “grandchild” section is where the books that circulate frequently are housed and is browsable by patrons. Once a book is returned it is placed in the “grandchild” section. If it stays there for a predetermined amount of time (say a week) it is then relocated to the “child” section. Some books may travel back and forth from the “child” section to the “grandchild” section many times. If a book remains in the “child” section for say a year without being requested, it is then moved to the “parent” section.

Evaluation: There are many advantages to this Stacks Management model: it saves space, shelving time, and money. Disadvantages are few: initial expense of RFID system, and patron inconvenience in the beginning.