Just when I thought things were going to stabilize in the Reference Dept. of the library because of the wiring project getting finished, another change is thrust upon us. We’d talked about rearranging all the shelving units in Reference to see if we could come up with more space (currently they’re at an angle, both sides angling toward the front and center) and I even drew up some plans for a couple different options, to see what space we would recover. In the end, it didn’t seem to be enough space to warrant all that work.

And moving bookshelves in a library IS a LOT of work!

But after seeing where the conduits and outlets were placed in that wiring project that’s allowing us to double the size of our computer lab, we took another look at it and decided to move things around. Instead of shelves angling toward the center, they’re going to be perpendicular to the back wall, coming straight out. That will allow us to see all the way down easily, in case someone’s looking lost or confused or maybe doing something they shouldn’t. It also gives us about four more feet of needed space at the front of the shelving while still allowing a wide aisle down the left side where all the windows are.

In the end, it will be really nice. In the meantime, I’ve got 10 large book carts filled, along with two tables and three 30-foot rows on the floor running along one wall. That to clear the space needed for getting started moving shelves and relocating the books.

Not only does this project require moving shelves around, but the books will also have to be in different places to keep them in order. We can’t just take books off, move a shelf, and put the books back on. So I spent my free time during my Reference Desk shift yesterday planning out the steps for the most logical process while trying to keep the work as low as possible and the most books on the shelves at a time as possible. Classes ARE in session now and people MAY need to actually USE some of these books. So “quick and organized” is my motto.

And, of course, this also means that any other projects get sidelined while trying to hurry all this through. But, then, I do get to dress down until I’m done, since I’m sweating and getting dirty. :-)