Our periodicals are arranged by call number, with current issues
shelved in a reading room by call number, and bound volumes
interfiled with the books by call number.  I would be interested in
information on any studies that favor one system over another.
I can see the advantage of our system in a large main library - it
arranges journals roughly by subject.  Yet there are scientists
who never come to the library without their "cheat-sheet" so that
they can find THEIR journals in our collection.  The chemical engineers,
for example, hate going between the QDs and the TPs for their material.
I can see an advantage to alphabetic arrangement in a branch science
library where you are dealing with a focused collection. The disadvantage
of the cost of changing your whole collection from one arrangement to
another seems to outweigh any advantage gained by a different arrangement.
You didn't mention, Joyce, what system you are currently using.

Orion Pozo, Collection Manager
NCSU Libraries, Box 7111
N. C. State Univ., Raleigh, NC 27695
orion_pozo@ncsu.edu
tel: 919-515-7557  fax: 919-515-7854