Education - Library and Education System Furniture

Closed Shelf Space Bookshelf Layout ■

Bookshelf layout Bookshelf layout varies greatly depending on usage. In general, bookshelves are categorized into two types: closed shelf and open shelf. With closed shelves, space is enough if library staff can work smoothly; for instance, if a book cart can pass behind a person standing in front of a bookshelf. With open shelves, necessary space varies depending on conditions such as the library scale, whether for public or for a high school/college, and number of users.

Closed Shelf Space Library Open Shelf Space Concept

The diagram shows general spacing dimensions between bookshelves. Please refer to spacing between bookshelves and reading tables as well.

■ Width: 1800 Applied location: Large number of documents

■ Width: 2100 Applied location: Large number of users A book cart can pass between users without difficulty.

■ Width: 1500 Applied location: Closed shelf at heavy traffic area A person can pass freely behind a person accessing shelves.

Wheelchair accessible. A book cart can pass behind a person accessing shelves.

Reading Space

1500

1800

2100

System Furniture

Three shelves : 100 books/m 2 Seven shelves: 160 books/m 2

Three shelves : 80 books/m 2 Seven shelves: 190 books/m 2

Three shelves : 70 books/m 2 Seven shelves: 160 books/m 2

Wheelchair

Book cart

Upright bookshelf

Upright bookshelf

Upright bookshelf

Upright bookshelf

Height of bookshelf

1,800

High shelf Highest shelf height Low shelf Highest shelf height Low shelf Most optimum height

1,650

1,350

1,300

1,100 900

1,050

1,000

No crouching Lowest shelf height

600 450

600

600

300

Lowest shelf height

250

100

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