O Ye Fair Ones. . .

Due to popular demand. . .er, rather. . .due to the fact that we're having the same problems I decided to bring this oldie, but goodie, back from obscurity. It was called, "It Ain't Rocket Science" because, well, stacking books properly should be a basic knowlege of us here at Library Security -- but you can't really tell that from the book carts lately.

The post has been edited for previous content.

What is with the stacking of books lately? It seems people either a) don't know, b) don't care, or c) are too [lazy]. People have been stacking books all on one side of the cart making it awkward and lopsided to turn around and/or move. This is wrong.

People have also been just throwing ALL of the books on top of the cart and just letting the next person stack them onto the shelves. This is also wrong.

This is the correct way to stack books onto the carts: Stack the top shelf first. If the book doesn't fit in the top shelf, give the bottom shelf a try (sometimes they're different sizes). If it is an irregular-shaped/no-call-number-on-the-side book and/or damaged book, THEN you stack it on the top of the cart (just in a pile until it gets pretty full).

When the two shelves are full, you turn the cart around and fill up the other two shelves. THEN you start to arrange books on the top of the cart. Only then.

And don't forget to fill out a slip and call Circ. If you chat with them a bit instead of just asking for a cart, they usually will get the empty cart to you quicker.