![]() ![]() ![]() As darker materials absorb light, this means a significant amount of light may be absorbed between the top and the bottom of the shelf. For high-density book shelving, vacancy sensors can be used to reduce light levels (and save energy) during periods of vacancy during operating hours.īook spines are typically darker color, resulting in IES estimating an overall reflectance in the aisle of 30 percent or less. High-density book shelving and periodical shelving have similar light level recommendations consult IES-RP-4-13 to learn more. Regardless, the average-to-minimum vertical and horizontal light level uniformity should be at a 2:1 ratio. The most desirable light level within these ranges depends on the predominant ages of users, as older people need more light. IES further recommends about an average 10 to 40 footcandles of vertical illumination on the front face of the shelving 2.5 feet above the finished floor, with a minimum of about half that near the bottom of the shelving. IES recommends a minimum of about 10 to 40 footcandles of horizontal illumination on the floor and an average of about 15 to 60 footcandles 2.5 feet above the finished floor. In the stack area, the two primary tasks are reading covers and spines on the shelves, requiring vertical illumination from as tall as 90 inches to as low as six inches off the floor and reading selected materials, requiring horizontal illumination. If rare books and artifacts are stored, these materials may be sensitive to ultraviolet energy and heat produced by electric light and daylight sources, and therefore may need to be isolated. For older or lesser-used materials storage, high-density storage systems such as rolling stack shelving may be used, in which shelving units rest adjoined and are separated via a floor or ceiling rail using a manual or mechanical method. Typically, shelving is vertical, though angled shelves, carrousels, bins, and drawers may be in use for special materials and presentation of books. These shelving units connect to form ranges, separated by aisles that are at least 3 feet wide for browsing and 44 inches wide for major circulation and egress paths. In these areas, books are typically stored in shelving units that are often 3 feet wide, 1 foot deep, and 3 to 7.5 feet tall, according to IES. This article describes considerations and techniques for designing book stack lighting, based on the Illuminating Engineering Society’s (IES) RP-4-13, Recommended Practice for Library Lighting.Ī library stack is a collection storage as opposed to a reading area. In typical school and public libraries, this storage takes up 30 to 50 percent of usable floorspace, even more in other library types. Nonetheless, the most popular type of space remains storage of book collections, called the library or book stack. A variety of spaces impose common and particular lighting requirements, including entrances, lobbies, retail, office, display, services, multipurpose rooms, and exterior areas.Īs library usage shifts to e-books, Internet, and digital content, there is less demand for publicly accessible storage areas. Today’s libraries offer books and artifacts, digital content, computer and Internet access, wireless communications, and a place to meet. These buildings feature a variety of spaces and tasks as use of their use has changed. Reprinted with permission.Īccording to the American Library Association, there are nearly 120,000 libraries in the United States, including school (82 percent), public (8 percent), and other (10 percent) libraries. Below is an application story I contributed to the February issue of tED Magazine. ![]()
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