Hi Mary, We've had open shelves in Media for the past 19 years (ever since our library opened). We use LC classification, with some slight modifications to make the feature films more browsable.
We then physically separate by format (based on physical format): * VHS + DVD together (they can fit on the same shelves) * Audio CDs & CD-Rom * Laser Discs * Audiocassettes * Slides Items whose supplements cannot fit in the container or on the shelf get an item note in the catalog record & the supplements get put in filing cabinets (also open to the users). All our items (except slides) are tattle-taped. Our biggest problem w/ open shelves is the need to do regular and frequent shelf-reading to keep things in order. We also have this page to make it easier for patrons to find AV http://library.ust.hk/guides/findav.html Regards, Victoria F. Caplan HKUST Library Hong Kong University of Science & Technology http://library.ust.hk > Hello Video Librarians! > I just joined this list to post on a couple of topics I'm working on > here at Wake Forest. First question is, do any of you operate with open > shelving of your DVDs? We already have thought through pros and cons of > having the open shelving, so we're looking for practical help rather > than opinions for/against open shelving. > > > > We're planning to move our DVD collection from closed shelving behind > the Circulation Desk to open shelves in a controlled room and we're > looking for examples to follow. We'd like some information to help us > decide about how to organize in presenting the collection - right now we > just have accession numbers, but we think some type of categorization > would be more useful to patrons. And of course that leads to a question > of re-classing from accession numbering. You get the idea. > > > > Any feedback on practical arrangements from those operating with open > shelves? > > > > Thanks, > > Lauren > > > > > > > > Lauren Corbett > > Director of Resource Services, Z. Smith Reynolds Library > > Ph: 336-758-6136 > > > > VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of > issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic > control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in > libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve > as an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of > communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video > producers and distributors. > VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and distributors.
