-------- Original Message --------
Subject:        RE: Map Cabinets - How High?
Date:   Mon, 6 Oct 2008 16:05:16 -0400
From:   Hallie Pritchett <[log in to unmask]>
To:     <[log in to unmask]>
References:     <[log in to unmask]>



The UGA Map Library has a long row of maps cases stacked 5 high (25 drawers
per stack) which require ladders to reach the top 10 drawers.  While it does
indeed save space to me it's a lawsuit waiting to happen - I'm forever
paranoid someone is going fall off a ladder trying to pull a map out of a
drawer (it doesn't help that I'm desperately afraid of heights, either).
Fortunately that portion of the collection isn't very heavily used & the
cases themselves are the older & sturdier than our newer ones.  Still,
getting rid of the row of towering map cases is one of the many things I'm
looking forward to when we move back to campus in the next couple of years.

For me the biggest issue in how high to stack map cases is safety beyond
falling off ladders & the like.  Most people can see over the top of stacks
of 15 drawer map cases, which means for the most part you can see what's
going on across the room.  Add another 5 drawers & your stack of map cases
is pushing 6 feet tall - not many people can see over that.  So unless your
taller stacks are going to be up against the wall I'd recommend against
going any higher than 15 drawers if at all possible.

Hallie Pritchett
Map and Federal Regional Depository Librarian
University of Georgia Libraries
Athens, GA 30602
[log in to unmask]
706-542-0690  FAX: 706-583-0631
http://www.libs.uga.edu/maproom/
http://www.libs.uga.edu/govdocs/




-----Original Message-----
From: Maps, Air Photo & Geospatial Systems Forum
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Maps-L Moderator
Sent: Monday, October 06, 2008 3:00 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Map Cabinets - How High?

Please reply to the list so everyone can benefit from the information.

-------- Original Message --------
Subject:        Map Cabinets - How High?
Date:   Mon, 06 Oct 2008 13:44:40 -0500
From:   Christopher Mixon <[log in to unmask]>
To:     <[log in to unmask]>



Hi Maps-L'ers,

We have been looking at the idea of stacking map cabinets four high
(five drawers each) to free up floor space. We've seen it done in at
least two places but are not sure about this practice. At least one
vendor doesn't recommend it, and lately the more affordable cases (term
used lightly), don't seem quite as solid as our older cases. A warped
case is pretty much useless and a very expensive loss.

Does anyone have experience stacking higher than 3 sets? If so, what
brands are these?

Any comments/recommendations either way are much appreciated.



___________________________

Chris Mixon
Media & Digital Resource Lab
Map Collection
Auburn University Libraries
231 Mell St.
Auburn University, AL 36849-5606
Phone: 334-844-7424
Fax: 334-844-4424
E-mail: [log in to unmask]

http://www.lib.auburn.edu/drl
http://www.nacis.org