The shelving is such a key component of a library, because yes while a library is so much more than just a collection of books, the collection is a key and important part of the library. And shelving can make or break a space through the flexibility and accessibility you need to make the space work.
In my role I oversee two library spaces. One has shelving that doesn’t work. It’s quite frankly atrocious. It was designed, selected and provided with no librarian input. In my other library, we have shelving that was entirely selected and designed by the team of school library staff, and it is perfect. Perfectly suited to the users of that library. Perfectly suited to the collections, the space, and to providing access to the collection and flexibility in the space.
So, here are my tips on what to look for in school library shelving and what to avoid at all costs.
Individual shelf length
The ideal shelf length is around 900mm. This provides enough length so you can aim for 40% of books shelved spine out and the rest devoted to forward facing books on display stands. A shorter length prevents having the space for enough forward space or enough spine shelved books without having to cut series in half. This length in metal or timber is strong enough to hold books without bowing.
Shelf depth
Your shelf depth ranges from 25-30 cm. 25cm is ideal for fiction shelves, while 30cm will hold non-fiction nicely. If you are not sure which collection will sit on which shelves, go for the 30cm deep, for versatility. Shelves should not be any deeper than 30cm, as this takes up too much space and you’ll find books get pushed to the back of the shelves, losing their visibility.
Shelving unit height
Shelf height can vary from 900mm to 1800mm tall. 900mm, 1200mm and 1500mm are the most common and accessible heights. Consider when selecting 900mm, usually used for primary school libraries, the bending required for reshelving, but the benefit of visibility over the shelving and that small children can reach all shelves. 1200mm is also ideal for primary school libraries, again offering visibility over the shelves and low shelf height. If space is a premium in your primary school library, 1500mm can be used. You make can this height more accessible by using the top shelf for display purposes so that students can still reach the lower shelves. For high-school libraries, 1200mm and 1500mm shelving is ideal. 900mm can be very much below the sight line of high school students, impacting visibility, but can be used up against seats or for low feature shelves.
Shelves should not be lower than 900mm, as the number of shelves included won’t allow for most book heights (for example, two shelves won’t fit non-fiction titles, three shelves won’t fit fiction, there’s just not enough space). These heights are of the shelving units themselves and should not include wheels, adding 100mm to your height. This is important as loss of this space can make your shelves too small to fit books. For example, a 1200mm high unit that includes the height of the wheels will only allow for 3 shelves, whereas a 1300mm high unit with wheels will allow you to use 4 shelves for fiction. That can have a massive impact on how many books you’ll fit on your shelves.
Display shelves
Adding display shelves to your shelving units can make a massive difference. You can do this in a few ways. The first is to purchase a shelf that sits diagonally, with a lip, so that you can face books out. The second way is to leave a normal flat shelf empty of spine-shelved books and use 5-7 stands on that shelf to face book outwards. You can also use stands on shelf bay end panels to increase display area. Finally, think about shelving for your themed display books, whether that is new books or books on a topic to be highlighted. These display shelves could be dedicated bays of normal shelving units, which are strategically placed near the entrance of the library. They could be shelves completely made up of forward facing shelves. You can also purchase narrow units especially designed for displaying books with their covers out. You can also use walls with book holders to create displays in entrances or teaching areas.
Aisle space
Don’t forget to consider your access to the shelves when designing and selecting shelving. That means in your configuration you need at least 1000mm between shelves or around shelves for standard wheelchair access. Consider where high traffic points might get congested with students when browsing shelves, and leave space between shelves and furniture or avoid tight corners.
Mobile or static
Consider if you want your library shelves to be mobile, with wheels, or static non-moveable units. For most suppliers of shelving, unless you have an extra-wide shelf, only double-sided shelves can be mobile, while single-sided units are static and used up against walls. Static shelving is great for maximising the use of your wall space, while mobile shelving is incredible for creating flexible shelving configurations from double-sided units in your library’s floor space. You might use a mix of static and mobile shelving in your space.
Where to purchase
Proper library shelving, as described above, is offered through a few suppliers. Dedicated library suppliers create these shelving but some furniture suppliers can also access and provide library shelving through resellers. A number of furniture suppliers are starting to provide shelving, just make sure it meets your requirements, as some do not consider the unique needs of a library. Check the quality of what is being provided and if they regularly make library shelving to the standards outlined above.
How to measure up
This can be tricky, ensuring the shelving you are purchasing will fit. Each 900 wide shelf will also need a few mm each side for its bracket and pole or leg, so use a 950mm wide measurement for each bay. Consider the addition of 25mm bay end panels, which need to be added to your total at the end of each panel when using metal shelving with an additional bay end. Cutting these measurements from butchers paper and laying them on the floor is an excellent way to see the size of the units in your space and how much access space you need around them.
Colours
Colours can be the fun but also overwhelming part. You can purchase metal shelving in a wide range of powder-coat colours, with bay end panels in a massive range of colours and wood finishes. Timber laminate shelving comes in a wide range of timer look finishes.
Whatever shelving you select for your library, visiting other school or public libraries can help to see what options are available. Talk to local suppliers, get your hands on catalogues, search online and get some free quotes. All this will help to pull together your needs and design ideas for the space. You can also contact a library consultant to help with the process or talk to a fellow library staff member who has been through the process before and can share their wisdom. Measure twice, order once. Select a company who will work with you to fix any issues. And trust your library science knowledge of what is needed in the space. You understand your students, collection and shelving needs far better than any architect will, so trust your judgement.