National Library in storage crisis as space running out

SCOTLAND'S largest library is facing a storage crisis and could run out of space within four years.

The National Library of Scotland on George IV Bridge needs around three kilometres of shelf space every year to accommodate its growing catalogue. It is one of only six "copyright" libraries in Britain, which have a legal requirement to stock copies of every book and magazine published in Britain.

It currently houses around 16 million publications but at its current rate of acquisition bosses fear it could run out of space as early as 2014.

Linda MacMillan, an architect in the library's estates division, said: "NLS is vigorously perusing a three-pronged strategy to address the problem, which will ensure that at current growth rates it will continue to be able to accommodate the collections within its existing properties until 2025.

"These include rationalising the storage of existing material to ensure that it is shelved as efficiently as possible. This has already released over six kilometres of shelving."

The library requires around 17 kilometres of shelf space in the next five years, enough to stretch from Edinburgh to Kirkcaldy or the equivalent of 56,980 copies of War and Peace.

The library has also applied for a small extension to the building, which will be visible from the Cowgate, to house a new air-conditioning unit to cope with the increasing stock.

The optimum storage temperature for books is around 18C, but as the stock increases it disrupts the air flow and the library's existing air conditioners are struggling to cope.

It also stores a catalogue of foreign, historical and donated publications, but Ms MacMillan said the library may have to start removing all non national material to clear space.

Bosses also hope the growing popularity of e-books and online publishing will mean it will never have to secure storage space outside the existing building.

She added: "The new requirement for NLS and other similar organisations will be for large quantities of virtual storage. This opens up the possibility of a collaborative venture."

Ali Bowden, director of the Edinburgh City of Literature Trust, said she was confident that the library would find a solution to its storage problems, and welcomed the introduction of digitisation.

She said: "I think libraries everywhere face that issue of space and books. I remember being told Stirling University Library was sinking each year because of the weight of books it held, but it never did sink.

"Our National Library is full of dedicated book-loving folk so I'm sure they'll make good decisions. The digitisation programme is helping make those truly unique books they have more accessible."