[Publib] Recarpeting Questions

[Denise Johnson]

1.  Does anyone have an opinion as to whether to carpet around or under stacks is best?
We carpeted around the stacks because our County determined it was cheaper. It was cheaper in our case. But now we can never move those stacks until we recarpet.
 
2.  Has anyone worked as staff to take books down before recarpeting?  If so, how did you store the books, and where?  Was it a hardship or did it run smoothly?
In one library we rented "Stack Movers." They lifted fully loaded ranges a few inches off the floor in sections no longer than 9 book stacks each. We needed six very strong men (we used inmates labor) two on each side of each end. That is four men and two on each side of the middle to be sure the stacks didn't bow. Because we were installing carpet tiles. We moved ranges in between ranges, the installer scraped off the old carpet, and installed the tiles. Because of moving fully loaded stacks clogging the aisles, we had to close the building.
 
In my current library, where we carpeted around the stacks, we did carpet under stacks in the children's area. The installers had some sort of air floatation devices. I had no idea what they were talking about. But they slip inflatable packets under the ranges and slide them on a carpet of air above the ground and move them very easily. That too worked well
 
3.  If you used a moving company, did it keep books on the shelves when moving the furniture? How long did it take?  We also had to close our building to have mold and asbestos removed. A moving company packed the books, disassembled the stacks an then put it all together. It took a week to take it all down and two weeks to unpack and put things back where they belonged. We were very, very organized and the books still didn't get back exactly where they belonged. 
 
 
4.  If you've recarpeting recently, and had to move books (using either method: staff power or an outside jobber), approximately how many books are in your collection?
 
Our collection is about 225,000 items. One of the reasons we didn't consider using staff labor is that library staff are, generally, unused to such physical labor. We looked into how much just a couple workman's comp cases would cost. Since many of us are in our 50s, I am sure we would have strained at least two (or even more) backs. It is worth disabling your staff to save a few hundred dollars. I do not mean that staff would take advantage of the situation. But that kind of physical labor isn't like shelving all day--and how many of us shelve an 8 hour day? It isn't like whatever exercise plan any of us may be engaged in. 
 
If you can possibly afford it, pay for the physical labor. 
 
 
This e-mail contains the thoughts and opinions of Denise Johnson and does not represent official Midland County Policy.
 
Denise Johnson, County Librarian
Midland County Public Library
301 W. Missouri Ave
Midland, TX 79701
Direct Phone:(432) 688-4333
Fax: (432) 688-4939
e-mail denise_johnson at co.midland.tx.us
Main Library number (432) 688-4320




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