Just two years ago, Tisch Library celebrated the acquisition of its millionth volume. Now its stacks are overflowing, and the University is struggling to find space for new volumes. Though there is more floor space in the building, the library lacks the funds to make the space accessible to the public.
The constant arrival of thousands of new books recently prompted library administrators to move low-use bound periodicals to the unfinished ground floor, level G, to compensate for the lack of sufficient shelf space on Tisch's first floor.
Level G is on the library's north side below level 1 and is approximately one-third of the area of each of the building's other three levels, according to stacks coordinator Thomas Souers. The space is meant for publicly-accessible stacks, but approximately 15,000 square feet will remain unfinished until the library collects enough funds for its completion. Until now, other departments have used the space as needed, but the library recently reclaimed sections of it to be used for bound periodicals storage.
Building planners limited the library's storage space under the assumption that much of the collections would become electronic by the turn of the century. This did not allow for storage sufficient to accommodate the current growth rate of over 17,000 volumes a year.
Bibliographers shifted certain material to the level G stacks in order to minimize the inconvenience to library visitors. They attempted to move largely periodicals that are available electronically and volumes not regularly used in teaching and research. The Library Committee approved the selection criteria, retrieval policy, and list of titles. Department heads were asked to submit feedback at the end of the fall semester, which led to some changes to the list of titles.
Over winter break, library staff worked to implement the new arrangement. A $100,000 grant allowed for the installation of moveable compact shelving, providing almost twice as much shelf space as stationary stacks. Compact shelving sits on rollers; the shelves move apart to create aisles only when needed, saving valuable floor space.
"Tisch Library staff members know how important it is for our patrons to have as much of the collection as open and accessible as possible," Tisch Library Director Jo-Ann Michalak said in a written statement. "We are seeking funding to make level G publicly accessible." Until this is possible, staff members will attempt to retrieve materials from level G as needed, "in an efficient and timely manner."
Circulation staff members will satisfy requests for stored periodicals on a daily basis. Requests turned in by 1 p.m. on weekdays will be available at the Tisch circulation desk by 4 p.m. the same day, and those received before 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays will be obtained by 5 p.m. Request forms may be obtained at the circulation desk, and after Feb. 15 will also be available on the Tisch web page at www.library.tufts.edu/tisch under the heading "Borrowing and Other Services."
