"Bookstack" redirects here. For the wiki software, see BookStack.
In library science and architecture, a stack or bookstack (often referred to as a library building's stacks) is a book storage area, as opposed to a reading area. More specifically, this term refers to a narrow-aisled, multilevel system of iron or steel shelving that evolved in the 19th century to meet increasing demands for storage space.[3] An "open-stack" library allows its patrons to enter the stacks to browse for themselves; "closed stacks" means library staff retrieve books for patrons on request.
The stacks of Harvard's Gore Hall, under demolition in 1913 to make way for Widener Library[1]The stacks framework (visible within unfinished walls in this December 1913 view) of Harvard's Harry Elkins Widener Memorial Library supports the roof and topmost level of offices and special collections[2] as well as shelves holding 3million volumes.One of Widener Library's ten stack tiers during construction. Next-higher tier is visible because floor panels, which are supported by the stacks framework, are not yet installed.
French architect Henri Labrouste, shortly after making pioneering use of iron in the Bibliotheque Sainte-Genevieve of 1850, created a four-story iron stack for the Bibliothèque nationale de France.[4] In 1857, multilevel stacks with grated iron floors were installed in the British Library.[3] In 1876, William R. Ware designed a stack for Gore Hall at Harvard University.[1] In contrast to the structural relationship found in most buildings, the floors of these bookstacks did not support the shelving, but rather the reverse, the floors being attached to, and supported by, the shelving framework. Even the load of the building's roof, and of any non-shelving spaces above the stacks (such as offices), may be transmitted to the building's foundation through the shelving system itself. The building's external walls act as an envelope but provide no significant structural support.[4]
Library of Congress and the Snead systemedit
The Thomas Jefferson Building of the Library of Congress was completed in 1897. This is where this type of book storage was first used[clarification needed]. The engineer in charge of construction was Bernard Richardson Green. He made a number of alterations to the Gore Hall design, including the use of all-metal shelving. The contract was won by the Snead and Company Ironworks, which went on to install its standardized design in libraries around the country.[1] Notable examples are the Widener Library at Harvard and the seven level stack supporting the Rose Reading Room of the New York Public Library.[3]
The Library of Congress bookstacks were designed and patented by Green. Although the structure was of cast iron, the shelves were made from strips of thin U section steel, designed to be as light as an equivalent pine shelf. The top surface of the U section was ground, polished and 'lacquered' (the constituents of the lacquer are not known). Green designed the stacks to be modular, able to be erected several stories high as a single freestanding structural entity incorporating staircases and floors, and even capable of supporting a roof structure. He designed the shelves so that they could adjust to book sizes using a simple lug system without the need for any bolts or fixings. Although the bookstacks were decorated and very simply embellished, they are of machine-age industrial design.[5]
Open versus closed stacksedit
In the design and administration of any library, a key decision is whether its stacks will be open or closed. In an open-stack library, patrons are free to enter the stacks to browse the collection and retrieve items that interest them. In a closed-stack library, only library staff are allowed in the stacks; patrons must use the catalog to identify books they want, and request that staff retrieve them. Until the late 19th century, most public libraries had closed-stack systems, but toward the end of that century open stacks increased in popularity.
A notable proponent of the open-stack system was John Cotton Dana, who became head of the Denver Public Library in 1889.[6] The first few Carnegie libraries used the closed-stack system, but later Carnegie Libraries were designed to operate with open stacks.[7]Angus Snead Macdonald, president of the Snead Company from 1915 to 1952, advocated the transition from closed stacks to modular, open-plan libraries.[4]
^ abcSnead Company (1915). Library Planning Bookstacks and Shelving. Architecture Press. pp. 11–12, 152–158.
^Lane, William Coolidge (May 1915). "The Widener Memorial Library of Harvard College". The Library Journal. 40 (5): 325.
^ abcPetroski, Henry (1999). The Book on the Book Shelf. Alfred A. Knopf. pp. 167–168, 170–172, 184, 191.
^ abcWiegand, Wayne, ed. (1994). Encyclopedia of Library History. Garland. pp. 352–355.
^"Snead cast iron bookstack features at Hindman's Chicago sale (18 November 2018)". salvoweb.com. Retrieved 2018-11-20.
^Mattson, Kevin (2000). The librarian as secular minister to democracy: The life and ideas of John Cotton Dana. University of Texas Press. OCLC 64770874.
^Murray, Stuart (2009). The Library: an illustrated history. Skyhorse Publishing, Inc. ISBN978-1-62873-322-8. OCLC 855503629.
January 01, 1970
library, stack, bookstack, redirects, here, wiki, software, bookstack, library, science, architecture, stack, bookstack, often, referred, library, building, stacks, book, storage, area, opposed, reading, area, more, specifically, this, term, refers, narrow, ai. Bookstack redirects here For the wiki software see BookStack In library science and architecture a stack or bookstack often referred to as a library building s stacks is a book storage area as opposed to a reading area More specifically this term refers to a narrow aisled multilevel system of iron or steel shelving that evolved in the 19th century to meet increasing demands for storage space 3 An open stack library allows its patrons to enter the stacks to browse for themselves closed stacks means library staff retrieve books for patrons on request The stacks of Harvard s Gore Hall under demol ition in 1913 to make way for Widener Library 1 The stacks frame work visible within unfinished walls in this Decem ber 1913 view of Harvard s Harry Elkins Widener Memorial Library sup ports the roof and top most level of offices and special col lec tions 2 as well as shelves holding 3 mil lion volumes One of Widener Library s ten stack tiers during construction Next higher tier is vis i ble be cause floor panels which are supported by the stacks frame work are not yet installed Contents 1 Early development 2 Library of Congress and the Snead system 3 Open versus closed stacks 4 See also 5 ReferencesEarly development editFrench architect Henri Labrouste shortly after making pioneering use of iron in the Bibliotheque Sainte Genevieve of 1850 created a four story iron stack for the Bibliotheque nationale de France 4 In 1857 multilevel stacks with grated iron floors were installed in the British Library 3 In 1876 William R Ware designed a stack for Gore Hall at Harvard University 1 In contrast to the structural relationship found in most buildings the floors of these bookstacks did not support the shelving but rather the reverse the floors being attached to and supported by the shelving framework Even the load of the building s roof and of any non shelving spaces above the stacks such as offices may be transmitted to the building s foundation through the shelving system itself The building s external walls act as an envelope but provide no significant structural support 4 Library of Congress and the Snead system editThe Thomas Jefferson Building of the Library of Congress was completed in 1897 This is where this type of book storage was first used clarification needed The engineer in charge of construction was Bernard Richardson Green He made a number of alterations to the Gore Hall design including the use of all metal shelving The contract was won by the Snead and Company Ironworks which went on to install its standardized design in libraries around the country 1 Notable examples are the Widener Library at Harvard and the seven level stack supporting the Rose Reading Room of the New York Public Library 3 The Library of Congress bookstacks were designed and patented by Green Although the structure was of cast iron the shelves were made from strips of thin U section steel designed to be as light as an equivalent pine shelf The top surface of the U section was ground polished and lacquered the constituents of the lacquer are not known Green designed the stacks to be modular able to be erected several stories high as a single freestanding structural entity incorporating staircases and floors and even capable of supporting a roof structure He designed the shelves so that they could adjust to book sizes using a simple lug system without the need for any bolts or fixings Although the bookstacks were decorated and very simply embellished they are of machine age industrial design 5 Open versus closed stacks editIn the design and administration of any library a key decision is whether its stacks will be open or closed In an open stack library patrons are free to enter the stacks to browse the collection and retrieve items that interest them In a closed stack library only library staff are allowed in the stacks patrons must use the catalog to identify books they want and request that staff retrieve them Until the late 19th century most public libraries had closed stack systems but toward the end of that century open stacks increased in popularity nbsp Contemporary cantilevered stacks at the Biblioteca Vasconcelos Mexico City A notable proponent of the open stack system was John Cotton Dana who became head of the Denver Public Library in 1889 6 The first few Carnegie libraries used the closed stack system but later Carnegie Libraries were designed to operate with open stacks 7 Angus Snead Macdonald president of the Snead Company from 1915 to 1952 advocated the transition from closed stacks to modular open plan libraries 4 See also editBookcase Harvard DepositoryReferences edit a b c Snead Company 1915 Library Planning Bookstacks and Shelving Architecture Press pp 11 12 152 158 Lane William Coolidge May 1915 The Widener Memorial Library of Harvard College The Library Journal 40 5 325 a b c Petroski Henry 1999 The Book on the Book Shelf Alfred A Knopf pp 167 168 170 172 184 191 a b c Wiegand Wayne ed 1994 Encyclopedia of Library History Garland pp 352 355 Snead cast iron bookstack features at Hindman s Chicago sale 18 November 2018 salvoweb com Retrieved 2018 11 20 Mattson Kevin 2000 The librarian as secular minister to democracy The life and ideas of John Cotton Dana University of Texas Press OCLC 64770874 Murray Stuart 2009 The Library an illustrated history Skyhorse Publishing Inc ISBN 978 1 62873 322 8 OCLC 855503629 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Library stack amp oldid 1215073090, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
