open-shelf

American  

[oh-puhn-shelf] / ˈoʊ pənˈʃɛlf /

adjective

1. open-stack.

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Etymology

Origin of open-shelf

First recorded in 1815–25

Example Sentences

To stimulate all students, Ransom thought up the university's now-abuilding $4,000,000 "academic center," containing an open-shelf library of 250,000 books.

From Time Magazine Archive

It is from this common-folks-education point of view that the advocate of the open-shelf system looks upon the question of library administration.

From A Library Primer by Dana, John Cotton

When the open-shelf library was first introduced we were told that one of its chief advantages was that it encouraged “browsing”—the somewhat aimless rambling about and dipping here and there into a book.

From A Librarian's Open Shelf by Bostwick, Arthur E.

The books were taken from the open-shelf room.

From The Nation Behind Prison Bars by Herr, George L. (George Lewis)