shelfreading

Shelfreading, also known as shelf reading, is the process of inspecting shelves to ensure that items are correctly shelved, labeled, and arranged according to the relevant cataloging or merchandising system. In libraries, shelfreading supports the maintenance of order established by classification schemes such as the Library of Congress or Dewey Decimal system, by verifying that each item’s call number, author, and title correspond to its location and that no items are misfiled, missing, or damaged. In bookstores and other retail settings, shelfreading refers to checking product placement, pricing, labeling, and facing to preserve merchandising standards.

Practically, shelfreading involves scanning shelves, identifying mis-shelved or mislabelled items, and returning them to their correct positions. It may be done during routine shelving, after checkouts to catch misfiled items, or as part of dedicated inventory projects. The activity is typically carried out by librarians, library assistants, volunteers, or store staff, and may be aided by inventory software or barcode systems, though it largely remains a manual quality-control task.

The goals of shelfreading include improving user access to materials, maintaining accurate inventory records, and supporting ongoing collection maintenance. By ensuring consistent organization, shelves remain navigable and items quickly locatable, contributing to overall efficiency for staff and a better user experience for patrons.