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The business of running a library has always involved repetitive tasks that expose employees’ backs necks, hands, and arms to injury. While technological advances have helped reduce many of the contributing risk factors, the evolution of new forms of media has increased the modern-day library’s selection and inventory, which in turn has made the job increasingly repetitive. While books are still a major part of a library’s inventory, new media such as videos, CDs, and DVDs have been added to the inventory that is available for check out.
Most modern libraries have evolved significantly from the days when books were tracked with index cards behind the book’s front cover. Books and media are now assigned barcodes which can be easily scanned with fixed or hand-held scanners, significantly reducing handling during checkout.
While handling during check-in and check-out has been significantly reduced with the introduction of scanning, books and media still need to be sorted, transported, and stored. Books handled efficiently can mean less time wasted and a decrease in risk of injuries.
The following are considerations to improve the flow of books in the library and decrease exposures to injuries:
Revised: 04/2017