"We normally just count the shelves, even though some have small gaps that we can't fill." Yes, thank you Dean, for saying this. For space planning purposes, what's important isn't the size of the collection but how much room is required to store it. The two are rarely identical. In my stacks, for every thirty inches of manuscripts, I have to plan for 34 inches of shelving. Lee ---- Leon C. Miller, Manuscripts Librarian Special Collections, Jones Hall Tulane University Libraries New Orleans, Louisiana 70118 ph: 504-865-5685, fx: 504-865-5761, [log in to unmask] http://specialcollections.tulane.edu -----Original Message----- From: Archives & Archivists [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Dean Debolt Sent: Wednesday, March 01, 2006 11:56 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: linear feet Actually an easier rule is 1 foot equals 1 foot. For example, libraries measure linear feet of Children's books, though most are taller and deeper than standard books. If you use a "Hollinger" box as an example (per Yale).they give a measurement of .41 linear feet. Since the box is 5 inches wide.5 inches into 12 inches yields the same. So truthfully, translating cubic feet to linear feet is a one to one ratio. We normally just count the shelves, even though some have small gaps that we can't fill. Dean A posting from the Archives & Archivists LISTSERV List sponsored by the Society of American Archivists, www.archivists.org. For the terms of participation, please refer to http://www.archivists.org/listservs/arch_listserv_terms.asp. To subscribe or unsubscribe, send e-mail to [log in to unmask] In body of message: SUB ARCHIVES firstname lastname *or*: UNSUB ARCHIVES To post a message, send e-mail to [log in to unmask] Or to do *anything* (and enjoy doing it!), use the web interface at http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/archives.html Problems? Send e-mail to Robert F Schmidt <[log in to unmask]>