A FILING AND RECORD SYSTEM FOR LABORATORY KEYS BURTONI. O m ,
UNIVERSITY OF
FLORIDA, GA~BSVILLE, %OR~A
For some time the writer has been trying to find an ideal system of keeping laboratory keys and, a t the same time, a record of the holder of the key. All systems investigated or described seemed bulky and cumbersome. Ordinary key cabinets are of small capacity, and large cabinets having removable panels are not satisfactory. They occupy a large amount of space and the keys are apt to fall off the board if dropped. Our present system requires a 2l/aw X 3l/%"pay envelope containing one of the key cards now in use. These envelopes have the locker number and the key number typed on them and are filed according to the locker number. A standard filing cabinet, called an impairment record file, holds these envelopes in their upright position, thus making it easy to remove a key or a key card without removing the envelope. The cabinet is lZ1/l" wide, 27" deep, and 52" high, and has ten drawers each with four compartments. The capacity of each drawer is from 300 to 400 envelopes, each envelope containingfour keys or cards. Thus one drawer accommodates all the keys of a large laboratory. Not needing, a t present, all the key space available, we had one drawer made to care for two sets of 3" X 5'' cards, and two other drawers have been replaced by one standard invoice file drawer. The drawers are removable so that when lockers are being assigned a drawer can be taken, for convenience, to the stockroom window. Keys for small laboratories and keys needed during the day are secured from the Curator's office where the file is kept locked a t all times. All building keys are also kept in this file. Up to the time that we established this system a t the University of Florida, considerable difficulty was experienced in making the students check the equipment in their locker and turn in their equipment list. Now when a locker is assigned i t is first opened by a pass key in the possession of the instructor. Then after it is checked in and the key card completely filled out, the student is given his . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . key. The key card, as illusHome Address.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . trated by the sample, is placed College Address. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . in the small envelope where Course No.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . it remains until the key is reLocker No.. . . . . . . . . . . . ..Key No... . . . . . . . . . . turned. If a key is lost this FIRST SEMESTER SECOND SEMESTER Date i n . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Date i n . . . . . . . . . . . . . . fact is recorded on the card Dateout . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dateout . . . . . . . . . . . . . and, in addition, the date that the student checks out. the card remaining in the envelope until a new lock is put on the locker. When several keys are lost and the locker is being opened by lost keys the locks may be changed or a new lock put on the locker.
