why are books in a library called stacks?

Question

i have used it many times, and have heard it used just as much "i am going to go browse the stacks" why is it called stacks? i am assuming because the books are stacked on shelves.

Answer 1

The "stacks" refers not to stacked books but to the shelves: in particular, to the compactly arranged shelves where books are stored, rather than the open bookshelves. It is the shelves that are stacked together to save space.

Answer 2

Yes you could be right, but I wouldn't always assume 'stacked' book to be in order. Stack would normally mean put on top of one another, i.e. sideways and not on shelves. That's my experience anyway.

Answer 3

You're exactly right.