----------------------------Original message----------------------------
A key source used by library architects, planners, and designers,
"Planning academic and research library buildings" by Keyes Metcalf (2nd
ed., 1986, ed. by Leighton & Weber) states the following (p.183, "Maps and
broadsides"):
 
A commonly available case made of steel is fabricated in units of five
drawers; the cases are typically set up with two or three units plus a
base, which permits use of the top surface for sorting or viewing the maps.
Cases have been put together that are 6 ft high or higher, but sheets and
folders stored at this height may be damaged when they are removed from or
replaced in the cases.  When a drawer is so high, one's vision is cut off
unless a stool is used when filing.  Weight can become a significant factor
when these cases are assembled to greater heights.
 
Amy Ciccone
University of Southern California Library
 
 
>     OK gang. I have been known to quote "national map library standards"
>     to my bosses, about how map cases should be no higher than ca. 50"...
>
>     now they want to know where I got that from... did I make this up in a
>     creative moment? I went to the SLA university library standards, and
>     it is not there. Not in Larsgaard or Drazniowsky.
>
>     I would like to think I am my own authority on all things, especially
>     map cases [sigh] but no.
>
>     Any one out there in library land, who has been working on space
>     studies, have a clue as to where this "3 units high" idea came from?
>
>     Alice Hudson
>     Map Division, NYPL
>     <a href="/scripts/wa-UGA.exe?LOGON=A3%3D9805%26L%3DMAPS-L%26E%3D7BIT%26P%3D218461%26B%3D--%26T%3Dtext%252FplainTEXT%252FPLAIN%3B%2520charset%3DUS-ASCII%26pending%3D" target="_parent" >[log in to unmask]</a>