Kathy,

 

Most of our double-facing aisles that contain large map cabinets (42 ¼” deep) are about 60-62” wide as well, for the reasons John mentions below. Our skinniest double-facing aisle, which contains large map cabinets one side and smaller map cabinets (33 ¼” deep) on the other, is about 54”, which I believe is just barely sufficient but I wouldn’t go skinnier than that. Also these are in closed stacks used by staff only, not that that should matter, but still.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Chris

Geography Department Map Library

California State University, Northridge

 

 

Kathy,

We have 60” between cases facing each other. We find it provides for a fully open drawer with room for the patron plus the ability to easily remove and re-shelve maps from the drawer without being restricted by the case behind you.

 

 

 

All,

 

It seems I've seen this somewhere but I can't locate it.  Is there a best practice distance for placing map cases facing each other (what's the aisle width between map cases with drawers opening facing each other?)  We're going through re-envisioning our map space and I'll hoping for numbers to add weight to my estimates.  I already know that a 40" aisle is not going to be adequate for a 40" deep map case.  It would be impossible to get drawers in and out when needed and be difficult to work around fully opened drawers.  My gut feeling tells me that 48" is the minimum and 56" would be ideal.  This is an area that is open access to patrons so it's not just the librarians that need to be able to maneuver in the space.

 

Anyone have any authoritative sources?

 

Thanks in advanced,

 

Kathy