PURPOSE: To improve the storage efficiency of books in a library while also enhancing the efficiency of the retrieval return operation of books by automation effectively.

CONSTITUTION: A plurality of containers 12, in which a plurality of books 13 are stored respectively, are housed in a plurality of shelf regions 11a-11d classified by size of book 13. The positions of a plurality of the containers 12 housed and each book code of a plurality of the books 13 housed in each container 12 are made to correspond and stored. A free location system, in which the books 13 are received and issued on the basis of the stored content and the stored content is renewed at every reeeving and issuing is adopted.