----------------------------Original message----------------------------
Linda
I have moved our map collection, consisting of over 600 000 maps in
oaver 720 cabinets, twice, in the time I have been with the collection.
The drawers have always been removed first, stacked on pallets and then
reinserted in the cabinets when the latter are in place.  before the
cabinets were emptied of drawers, each cabinet was numbered and each
drawer in the cabinet numbered as part of that cabinet eg. Cabinet 1,
drawer 1-1, 1-2, etc.  We also had a plan of the existing area and where
the cabinets were located and a plan of the new area where they were to
be moved, with a clear indication on each plan as to the location of the
cabinets.
It is a lot of work but it virtually eliminates the problems you have
experienced, particularly the damage to the maps.
Yours sincerely
Maura O'Connor
Map Curator
National Library of Australia.
>----------
>From:  Linda B. Johnson[SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
>Sent:  Wednesday 22 October 1997 11:50PM
>To:    [log in to unmask]
>Subject:       Moving Maps
>
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>
>Folks,
>
>I would like some advice on the best method for moving map cases & the
>maps inside them.
>
>When we moved out of our library the cases were tipped on their sides with
>very unpleasant results to the maps.  A recent (1997) book on moving
>advises that maps be emptied and stgored in containers or the drawers
>taken out & stuffed with cardboard so the maps do not move around.
>
>We will be using a professional mover to move back in the bldg. but I
>would like to hear from folks
>as to what they have done or would suggest.  We have 28 map cases
>stacks with 2 each of -3 drawer cases stacked on eachother.
>
>
>I will summarize for the list or pass on if so desired.
>
>Thanks in advance.
>
>Linda B. Johnson
>Univ. of New Hampshire
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>