We have some vertical storage and they work great for USGS 7.5 min topo maps where I get two maps side by side in one row. We actually have different folders for each side so we can easily get the maps in and out.  Folders with handles are a must.  All of our PA and most of our superseded topos are stored this way.

We also have two larger cases for "oversized" maps and many are encapsulated.  It works well for these larger maps, but if you were to interfile smaller maps, the small maps would fall to the bottom of the folders and be hard to find.  We used to have our nautical charts in these cases and the students hated filing in them and would get tons of paper cuts. We moved them out of those cases into standard map drawers.

Our larger cases have steps on on them for height challenged staff (present company included).  We also rub canning wax on the outside of the folders so they slide easier.

Heather Ross
Manager, Donald W. Hamer Maps Library
Penn State University Libraries

From: "Bertuca, David" <[log in to unmask]>
To: "MAPS-L" <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, February 21, 2017 3:36:58 PM
Subject: Re: Map storage cases

Actually the Ulrich vertical file cabinet is quite easy to load.

 

You pull a folder up (folders have 2 hand holes to pull) and toward the front

Then you open the folder and place the maps in

Close flap and lift the folder handle

Slide the folder into place.

 

This product is quite easy.

 

I’ve attached a spec sheet for the standard and economic versions (the standard one is also fire-resistant). Both explain the system a little. more detailed specs and comparisons to traditional cabinets are available.

 

The product comes pre-assembled. Ours, they removed the box on the loading dock and wheeled it in. we pushed it to the collection.

 

David J. Bertuca, Map Librarian

Science and Engineering Information Center

116 Lockwood Memorial Library

University at Buffalo

Buffalo, NY 14260-2200

716-645-1332 / 716-645-3859 (fax)

[log in to unmask]

 

Liaison to the Geography Department for GIS and Physical Geography

 

From: Maps-L: Map Librarians, etc. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Jon Jablonski
Sent: Tuesday, February 21, 2017 2:29 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Map storage cases

 

A caveat on Kathy’s post.  Looking at the product that David is considering, I think what’s at Oregon are a different beast.  David’s looks lower capacity, and the individual folders look difficult to load.

 

The ‘tubs’ at UO are also called compression cases, and I think they are WWII fireproof chart cases.  

 

And Kathy’s crazy for moving them fully loaded.  Three of us did it back in the day, and it’s super hard.  ;)

 

Jon Jablonski

Director, Interdisciplinary Research Collaboratory

Spatial Data Librarian, Map & Imagery Lab

UCSB Library

805-893-4049

 

 

 

 

On Feb 21, 2017, at 9:27 AM, Kathy Stroud <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

 

Hi all,

 

We have some vertical files of this sort. We refer to them as tubs.  The big advantage is they store more than the flat cases.  However, there are lots of disadvantages.

 

1)      Best for sets where all sheets are the same size. Storage/retrieval gets difficult if sheets have a wide range of sizes and sheets tend to get damaged.

2)      I wouldn’t consider them for archival storage. Over time maps tend to slump and curl on the bottom.

3)      It is a MUST to get the storage folders with holes/handles.

4)      There are ergonomic issues in using these.  As a person with shoulder problems, I can go into details if you like.  Also, the deeper ones can be difficult for short people to pull maps from the back folders.

5)      A fully loaded tub is moveable, but I recommend two or more people.  (We just moved 4.)

 

 

Kathy Stroud

David and Nancy Petrone Map/GIS Librarian Knight Library

1299 University of Oregon

Eugene, OR 97403-1299

541-346-3051

 

 

 

From: Maps-L: Map Librarians, etc. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Bertuca, David
Sent: Tuesday, February 21, 2017 8:32 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Map storage cases

 

We replaced a range of horizontal cabinets with a vertical one (as the first of a series that will be replaced).

Contact: 

 

Barb Berry

Ulrich Planfiling

716-763-1815 ext 31 

 

They are online as well: https://ulrichplanfiling.com/

 

The files do save space. Maps are thicker than the types of materials that they usually store in these so we found that we couldn’t put as many sheets in as specified, but still a lot more than the old drawers could handle.

The files are on wheels making them moveable. They have locks on them and come with a folder system inside. You can add more folders if you wish (our model came with 50).

 

We plan on replacing older cabinets with these as we go.

 

I have some basic info on them but you may want to just visit the site and ask about what they can do. They were very helpful in setting us up and offered to suggest what we would need based on our entire collection (which we didn’t do).

 

David J. Bertuca, Map Librarian

Science and Engineering Information Center

116 Lockwood Memorial Library

University at Buffalo 

Buffalo, NY 14260-2200

716-645-1332 / 716-645-3859 (fax)

 

Liaison to the Geography Department for GIS and Physical Geography

 

From: Maps-L: Map Librarians, etc. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Dennis Matthews
Sent: Saturday, February 18, 2017 3:33 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Map storage cases

 

Hello All,

 

Our library is in the pre-planning stages of possibly relocating our Map Collection from the basement of our library to the main floor.  To reduce the footprint of our collection, we’re looking at purchasing vertical storage to replace our traditional horizontal cases.  I’d like to hear from other libraries that use these cases, or something similar, or libraries that considered using them but decided against it.  Our collection has between 70K to 100K individual sheet maps so if there’s a library out there with collections in this range that use this type of vertical storage I’m especially interested in hearing from you.  I’m interested in knowing about any problems or benefits libraries have experienced using this type of storage option. 

 

Thanks,

 

Dennis 

 

Dennis G. Matthews

Library & Archives Paraprofessional 6

Western Washington University

Western Libraries

516 High Street

Bellingham, WA  98225

Telephone: 360.650.3098 (Collection Services--Cataloging Dept.)

                     360.650.3272 (Map Collection)

Fax: 360.650.3044