Optimal Storage of Books by Size: An Operations Research Approach.

This paper considers the optimal storage of books by size in libraries. A network model is developed to determine the optimum number of shelf heights to use which will minimize the shelving cost for a given collection of books. The model is analyzed and solved by a well known operations research technique of finding the shortest path in a directed network. Results of an experimental study to apply this model to a sample collection of books from the Purdue University Library are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]